Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. Kuching is the most populous city in the state of Sarawak and the fourth largest city in Malaysia. Kuching was elevated to city status on 1 August 1988. The area north of the Sarawak River, parts of Old Kuching, Satok and the western CBD is within the jurisdiction of Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (Kuching North City Hall) covering an area of 369.48 square kilometres.