[2] The most distinctive feature of the bustling waterfront is a 3.6-m-high pineapple statue and also the tallest building in Sarikei - Wisma Jubli Mutiara.

Another theory stated that there was a stall selling red wood tile (红柴瓦) in the bazaar where the Cantonese people also called "Sa-ley" (沙厘), giving rise to the name of "Sarikei".

The town Sarikei already existed prior to the rule of Brooke when it was part of the Bruneian Empire.

Among the popular items being traded at Sarikei was rice, beeswax, jungle produce, fine clothes and dried fish.

[6] Rentap, an Iban freedom fighter against the Brookes from 1849 to 1861, was buried in the present day Bukit Sibau, Pakan District of the Sarikei Division.

In 1851, (A.H.1267) Omar Ali Saifuddin II granted James Brooke the rights to control the Rajang River and its surrounding settlements.

In the same month, James Brooke set up a fort in Sarikei to suppress any piracy activities by the upriver Iban people.

The people in Sarikei had to form their own protection squad to deter piracy activities from the upriver Dayaks.

Residents of Sarikei planted a large number of black pepper plantations.

Sarikei Chinese chamber of Commerce decided to organise a strike for ten days in protest of increased taxes.

This strike received full support from Chinese merchants from Kuching, Sibu, Bintangor, and Selangau.

However, the strike failed to stop the business permit tax; and the taxation continues after the formation of Malaysia and is listed under the jurisdiction of Sarawak state government.

[1][note 13] The creation of Sarikei Division was to more effectively counter the communist insurgency in Sarawak.

[14] Major ethnic groups in Sarikei District are: Chinese, Iban, and Malay.

[14] Christianity first set foot in Sarikei in the early 1900s with the establishment of churches and missionary schools.

The Roman Catholic parish of St Anthony's in Sarikei has its church along Repok Road.

[16] Rubber and black pepper were the major agricultural products from Sarikei before the second world war.

[1][note 22] There is one light industrial estate in Sarikei[17] that caters food processing, ceramic art, and handicrafts.

For long-distance bus terminal, it serves as the main hub for express buses to further destinations in Sarawak such as Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri through the Pan Borneo Highway.

[23] In the 1970s, as the road connections was not advanced, water was the major form of transport from Sarikei to other towns near the Rajang river.

As the road condition improved over the years especially in the 1990s, water transport in Sarikei become less favourable.

[1][note 25] There is one express boat terminal in Sarikei that provides water transport to Kuching.

[1][note 26] Secondary schools offer the highest level of education is Sarikei.

In 1970, upon request by Malaysian Ministry of Education, the name was changed to SMK Tinggi Sarikei.

[26] The Sarikei Community College offers certificate courses on culinary and computer systems and support.

[35] King George VI square was established in 1953 as a recreational spot for Sarikei people.

[36] There is a Sarikei jetty where the visitors can watch speedboats, ferries, and longboats at the dock.

The park includes a fish pond, fountains, pedestrian walkways, and children playground.

Visitors can tap rubber in the morning, collect fruits, jungle trekking, and swimming in two nearby waterfalls.

[39] There is a wet market in Sarikei selling fruits, vegetables, and other local produce.