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. People have lived there for thousands of years. 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.

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 might come from many places. 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 banana called pisang saba that grew there. The Bajau community used a name that sounded similar, pisang jaba.

Another idea is that an old poem from Majapahit called the area Seludang. Chinese visitors 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 called "Land Below the Wind" because it is safe from many storms that hit East Asia.

History

Main article: History of Sabah

Sabah has a long and interesting history. People have lived in the area for thousands of years. We know this because stone tools and food remains were found near the Tingkayu River. Many different groups and kingdoms influenced the region. These include the Srivijaya empire, the Bruneian Empire, and the Sulu Sultanate.

In the 1800s, the British became more interested in northern Borneo. They set up trading posts and later formed the North Borneo Chartered Company. This helped bring stability and development to the area. During the Second World War, Japanese forces occupied Sabah. This was a hard time for the local people. After the war, Sabah became a British Crown colony. In 1963, Sabah joined Malaysia together with Malaya, Sarawak, and Singapore. Since then, Sabah has been an important part of Malaysia, adding 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 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 disagreements sometimes lead to calls for change, 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.

Security

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

Sabah, a state in northern Borneo, has had some security problems because it is close to the southern Philippines and Indonesia. After Malaysia was formed, the government took over safety, continuing plans from earlier times with Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. In the late 1960s, Britain sent jets and ships to help protect Sabah.

To deal with problems like people crossing borders illegally, Sabah made special areas called the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) and Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE). These help keep the borders safe.

Territorial disputes

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

Sabah also has some disagreements with Indonesia and the Philippines about land and sea borders. In 2002, Malaysia and Indonesia solved a problem over the Ligatan and Sipadan islands, and Malaysia won. Other disagreements continue, like claims over areas in the Celebes Sea and land borders.

The Philippines says part of eastern Sabah belongs to them because of old ties to the Sultanate of Sulu. Malaysia says Sabah has been part of the country since 1963. These disagreements sometimes cause tension, but both countries have agreed to wait on solving them to keep good relations.

Geography

Sabah is a state in Malaysia in northern Borneo. It shares a border with the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest and Indonesia's North Kalimantan province to the south. Sabah covers nearly 73,904 square kilometres. It is surrounded by the South China Sea, Sulu Sea, and Celebes Sea.

The state is famous for its beautiful coastlines, large rainforests, and tall mountains. The highest peak is Mount Kinabalu, one of the tallest peaks between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Sabah has many rivers, such as the Kinabatangan River, the second-longest river in Malaysia. The state's tropical climate has wet and dry seasons, with lots of sunshine and rain each year.

Economy

Sabah's economy is based on farming, forests, and oil. Tourism and services are also important. The state offers ecotourism because of its many plants and animals.

Since the 1950s, rubber and copra have been important crops. The timber industry started in the 1960s, and oil was found in the 1970s. The Sabah Development Corridor began in 2008 to help the state's economy grow and create jobs. Sabah works to attract visitors and trade with other countries.

Infrastructure

Sabah's public infrastructure is growing to meet its needs, but it faces challenges because of its large size and rough land. The Sabah Ministry of Infrastructure Development plans and guides the growth of public facilities. With help from the national government, more roads, water systems, and other important services are being improved, especially in countryside areas.

Electricity in Sabah mainly comes from diesel, hydropower, and combined cycle plants. The main hydroelectric plant is the Tenom Pangi Dam. Recent improvements have made sure that electricity reaches everywhere in the state. Work is still happening to link Sabah’s power system with nearby areas. Water supply is taken care of by the Sabah State Water Department, helping both cities and countryside communities, though some places still use local water systems.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Sabah

Sabah is the third most populous state in Malaysia, with about 3.4 million people. 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. In the interior, Christianity is important to indigenous groups like the Kadazan-Dusun, Lundayeh, Murut, and Rungus. These groups also keep traditions from older beliefs.

Cultural villages such as the Borneo Cultural Village, Mari Mari Cultural Village, and Monsopiad Heritage Village show Sabah's heritage through performances and displays. The Sabah Museum holds many items including artefacts, brassware, and ceramics. 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 important for Sabah's tourism. Each ethnic group in Sabah has its own traditional music instruments and dances. Coastal groups play instruments such as the gendang, kompang, and kulintangan. Interior groups 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. 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 old records and books. Early films about the region include Jungle Adventures (1921) and Jungle Depths of Borneo (1937).

English author K.G. Tregonning wrote North Borneo (1960). 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

Sabah 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 many ways.