Sabah

Sabah is a state of Malaysia located in northern Borneo, part of the region known as East Malaysia. It shares land borders with the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest and Indonesia's North Kalimantan province to the south. The island of Labuan lies just off Sabah's west coast, and Sabah has maritime borders with Vietnam to the west and the Philippines to the north and east. Kota Kinabalu is the state capital and main economic center, with other important towns including Sandakan and Tawau.

Sabah has a rich history, with the earliest human settlements dating back 20,000–30,000 years ago. It has had trading ties with China since the 14th century and was influenced by the Bruneian Empire before becoming part of the British North Borneo Chartered Company in the 19th century. During World War II, it was occupied by Japanese forces. In 1963, Sabah joined the Federation of Malaysia alongside Sarawak, the Federation of Malaya, and the Crown Colony of Singapore.

Today, Sabah is known for its beautiful equatorial climate, tropical rainforests, and diverse wildlife. It is home to long mountain ranges, including Crocker Range National Park, and the Kinabatangan River, the second longest river in Malaysia. Mount Kinabalu, the highest point in Malaysia, is also located in Sabah. The state is culturally diverse, with many different ethnic groups and languages. Sabah's economy relies heavily on exports such as oil, gas, timber, and palm oil, as well as agriculture and ecotourism.

Etymology

The name Sabah has many possible origins. One idea is that long ago, when the area was part of the Bruneian Sultanate, it may have been called Saba because of a special type of banana called pisang saba that grew there. The Bajau community used a similar name, pisang jaba.

Another thought is that an old poem from a place called Majapahit called the area Seludang. Chinese visitors from a very long time ago called the whole island Po Ni, the same name they used for Brunei. Some believe the word Sabah means "upstream" in an old form of Brunei Malay, pointing toward the north. Others think it may come from a word for a place where palm sugar is made. Today, Sabah is nicknamed "Land Below the Wind" because it stays safe from many storms that hit East Asia.

History

Main article: History of Sabah

Sabah has a long and interesting history. The earliest known human settlements in the area date back thousands of years, with stone tools and food remains found near the Tingkayu River. Over time, different groups and kingdoms influenced the region, including the Srivijaya empire, the Bruneian Empire, and the Sulu Sultanate.

In the 19th century, British interests grew in northern Borneo. The British established trading posts and eventually formed the North Borneo Chartered Company, which helped bring stability and development to the area. During the Second World War, Japanese forces occupied Sabah, which led to difficult times for the local people. After the war, Sabah became a British Crown colony before joining Malaysia in 1963, along with Malaya, Sarawak, and Singapore. Since then, Sabah has been an important part of Malaysia, contributing to the country's diversity and richness.

Politics

See also: Government of Sabah, Cabinet of Sabah, Sabah State Legislative Assembly, Politics of Malaysia, and Table of precedence of Sabah

Sabah, together with Sarawak, has more control over its own affairs compared to the states in the Malaysian Peninsula. The Yang di-Pertua Negeri is the head of state, though mostly symbolic. The real power lies with the chief minister, who leads the state legislative assembly and the state cabinet. Elections for the assembly happen every five years, and voters aged 21 and above choose their representatives.

Before becoming part of Malaysia in 1963, Sabah (then North Borneo) joined under special conditions to protect its rights. Over time, some of this autonomy has been reduced, leading to disagreements between Sabah and the federal government. These tensions sometimes result in calls for Sabah to separate from Malaysia, though such actions are against the law. Political changes, like the rotation of the chief minister among different groups, have been tried but stopped due to problems.

Main articles: Divisions of Malaysia, Districts of Malaysia, List of local governments in Malaysia, and Local government in Sabah

Sabah is divided into five main areas, which are further split into 30 districts. Each district has a leader appointed by the state government. These divisions date back to when Britain ruled the area. Local government positions are also appointed rather than elected, a system that started during a time of unrest called the Malayan Emergency.

Security

Main articles: Cross border attacks in Sabah, Eastern Sabah Security Command, and Eastern Sabah Security Zone

Sabah, a state in northern Borneo, has faced security challenges due to its location near the southern Philippines and Indonesia. After Malaysia was formed, the Malaysian federal government took over responsibility for security, continuing policies from earlier British, Australian, and New Zealand efforts. In response to threats from the Philippines in the late 1960s, Britain sent jets and ships to protect Sabah, showing support through defense agreements.

To address ongoing issues like militant infiltrations and illegal activities, Sabah created special security areas known as the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) and Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE). These help manage safety along the borders with the Philippines and Indonesia.

Territorial disputes

Main articles: Ligitan and Sipadan dispute, Spratly Islands dispute, North Borneo dispute, and Malaysia Sulu case

Sabah also has territorial disputes with Indonesia and the Philippines. In 2002, Malaysia and Indonesia settled a dispute over the Ligatan and Sipadan islands through a court decision that favored Malaysia. Other disagreements remain, such as claims over areas in the Celebes Sea and land borders.

The Philippines claims part of eastern Sabah, arguing historical ties to the Sultanate of Sulu. Malaysia disagrees, seeing Sabah as fully part of the country since 1963. These disputes sometimes lead to tensions, but both countries have agreed to set aside the issue for now to keep good relations.

Geography

Sabah is a state in Malaysia located in northern Borneo. It has land borders with the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest and Indonesia's North Kalimantan province to the south. The total land area of Sabah is nearly 73,904 square kilometres, surrounded by the South China Sea, Sulu Sea, and Celebes Sea.

The state is known for its beautiful coastlines, extensive rainforests, and tall mountain ranges. The highest peak is Mount Kinabalu, one of the highest peaks between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Sabah also has many rivers, such as the Kinabatangan River, which is the second-longest river in Malaysia. The state's tropical climate brings wet and dry seasons, with plenty of sunshine and rain throughout the year.

Economy

Sabah's economy is mainly based on primary sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and petroleum. The tertiary sector, especially tourism and services, also plays an important role. The state offers ecotourism due to its rich biodiversity.

Since the 1950s, rubber and copra have been key agricultural products, with the timber industry emerging in the 1960s and petroleum discovery in the 1970s. The Sabah Development Corridor was established in 2008 to boost the state's economy, aiming to increase GDP and create jobs. Despite challenges like income inequality and high living costs, Sabah continues to attract foreign investment and develop trade partnerships with various countries.

Infrastructure

Sabah's public infrastructure has been developing to catch up, though challenges remain due to its large size and rugged terrain. The Sabah Ministry of Infrastructure Development oversees planning and growth of public facilities. With support from the federal government, more roads, water systems, and other key services are being improved, especially in rural areas.

Electricity in Sabah mainly comes from diesel, hydropower, and combined cycle plants. The main hydroelectric plant is the Tenom Pangi Dam. Recent upgrades have brought electricity coverage to 100% across the state. Work continues on connecting Sabah’s power grid with neighboring regions. Water supply is managed by the Sabah State Water Department, serving both towns and rural communities, though some areas still rely on local gravity systems.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Sabah

Sabah is the third most populous state in Malaysia, with a population of about 3.4 million people in 2020. Many different ethnic groups live there, with over 200 sub-groups and languages. The three largest groups are the Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, and Murut. There are also Chinese people and many others.

Most people in Sabah follow Islam, but there are also many Christians, Buddhists, and people who practice other religions. The main language is Malay, but there are many other languages spoken as well, including different indigenous languages and Hakka from the Chinese community.

Culture

See also: Culture of Malaysia

Sabah culture is rich and varied because of its many different ethnic groups. Along the coast, the culture has been shaped by groups like the Bruneian Malays and West Coast Bajaus on the west, and the East Coast Bajau, Bugis, and Suluk on the east, with Islam playing a central role. In the interior, Christianity is important to indigenous groups like the Kadazan-Dusun, Lundayeh, Murut, and Rungus, who also keep traditions of older Animist and Pagan beliefs. These indigenous cultures face challenges today due to influences from Peninsular Malaysia.

Cultural villages such as the Borneo Cultural Village, Mari Mari Cultural Village, and Monsopiad Heritage Village showcase Sabah's heritage through performances and displays. The Sabah Museum holds many items including artefacts, brassware, and ceramics that tell the story of Sabah's diverse peoples, natural history, trade history, and Islamic civilisation. The museum also features an ethnobotanical garden and a science and technology centre. Other museums and historic sites include the Agop Batu Tulug Museum, Agnes Keith House, Pogunon Community Museum, Sandakan Heritage Museum, and examples of preserved British, German, and Japanese colonial architecture.

Fine arts and crafts

Handicraft and souvenir making is an important part of Sabah's tourism. The Sabah Crafts Exotica programme has been held every year since 2011 in local museums. With support from the state government for local entrepreneurs, the number of craft businesses grew from 526 in 2012 to 1,702 in 2014, with sales rising from RM31 million to RM56 million.

Each ethnic group in Sabah has its own traditional music instruments and dances. Coastal groups like the Bajau, Brunei Malays, Bugis, Illanun, Kedayan, and Suluks play instruments such as the gendang, kompang, and kulintangan. Interior groups like the Dusun use instruments like the bungkau, sompoton, and turali. Traditional dances include the Sumazau by the Kadazan-Dusun, Magunatip by the Murut, and Pangalay](/w/37) by the East Coast Bajau and Suluk. Sabah is also known for batik production.

Cuisine

Sabah has many special dishes such as Beaufort mee, bosou, hinava, ngiu chap, pinasakan, Sipitang satay, Tuaran mee, tuhau, and fruit like bambangan (mangifera pajang). Popular snacks include amplang, cincin, lidah, roti kahwin, UFOs pinjaram, and Sandakan tart. Desserts such as lamban, nuba tingaa, punjung, sinamu, and Tuaran coconut pudding are also enjoyed. Each ethnic group has its own way of preparing and eating food. Companies like Desa Cattle, Tenom coffee, and Sabah Tea promote local products. Traditional drinks include bahar, kinomol, lihing, montoku, sagantang, sikat, and tuak. International restaurants offering foods from around the world can also be found in Sabah.

Portrayal in media

Much of the early information about Sabah comes from records such as the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society and the British North Borneo Herald. Early books include North Borneo – Explorations and Adventures in the Equator (1886) by Joseph Hatton, based on notes from his son Frank Hatton. Ada Pryer wrote A Decade in Borneo (1894) about her life there. Early films about the region include Jungle Adventures (1921) and Jungle Depths of Borneo (1937) by Martin and Osa Johnson.

English author K.G. Tregonning wrote North Borneo (1960) about his journey from Singapore. Films such as Three Came Home (1950) and Sandakan No. 8 (1974) have featured Sabah. Local films and television dramas began in the 1970s, and Sabah has appeared in reality shows like Survivor: Borneo and The Amazing Race. Documentaries such as Sacred Planet have also highlighted the state.

Holidays and festivals

Main articles: Public holidays in Sabah and Public holidays in Malaysia

Sabah celebrates many holidays and festivals. In addition to national holidays like Independence Day and Malaysia Day, Sabah observes Sabah Day on August 31. The Kaamatan festival is a public holiday only in Sabah. Other festivals include the Bon Odori Festival, Sabah Jazz, Borneo Bird Festival, Borneo Bug Fest, Kota Kinabalu Food Fest, Sabah Dragon Boat Festival, Sabah Fest, Sabah International Folklore Festival, and Sabah Sunset Music Festival.

Sports

North Borneo competed in the Summer Olympic Games, 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, and 1962 Asian Games before joining Malaysia in 1963. The Sabah State Sports Council was created in 1972 to help develop sports. Sabah has hosted events like the SUKMA Games and the Borneo International Marathon. The state has many sports facilities, including Likas Stadium, home of Sabah F.C.. Traditional sports are also popular in Sabah.

International relations

Sabah has special relationships with several places outside Malaysia. It is a sister state or province to Jiangxi Province in China, Ratchaburi Province in Thailand, and East Kalimantan in Indonesia. These partnerships help the areas work together and support each other in various ways.