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State Flag

State Emblem / Logo

The red stripe represents courage and the willingness to sacrifice for the state of Sabah. White is the colour of purity while dark blue is the colour of peace and prosperity. The light blue denotes Sabah's status as a young state. The silhouette of Mount Kinabalu is the symbol of the unity of the people.

The two arms symbolise unity and cooperation among the State's multi-racial communities for progress and success of the country. The five colours represent the five divisions in the State.

Zircon blue symbolises peace and tranquillity, white purity and justice, chilli red courage and conviction, icicle blue unity and prosperity and royal blue strength and cooperation. The silhouette shape of Mount Kinabalu symbolises the State of Sabah.

Area : 73,620 sq km

State Capital : Kota Kinabalu

Head of State : His Excellency Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Sakaran bin Dandai SMN, PSM, SPDK, SSAP, PGDK, ADK, JP

Chief Minister : Y.A.B Datuk Musa Haji Aman

District : Beaufort, Beluran, Keningau, Kinabatangan, Kota Belud, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Marudu, Kuala Penyu, Kudat, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Nabawan, Papar, Penampang, Pitas, Ranau, Sandakan, Semporna, Sipitang, Tambunan, Tawau, Tenom, Tuaran

Sabah

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Getting to Sabah

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Sabah

The Land Below The Wind


	Sabah is blessed with incredibly beautiful beaches and islands that are world-renowned for their ecological marvels. With attractions that include the highest peak in the region, the world largest Orang Utan rehabilitation sanctuary and some of the best dive sites in the world, Sabah is a land of eco-treasures. Known as ‘The Land Below the Wind’ because geographically, Sabah is below the typhoon belt, sitting at the tip of Borneo and shares a border with Sarawak and Kalimantan. With an inland area of 74,500 square kilometres and a coastline that stretches 1,400km, it is surrounded by South China Sea on the west and on the east are the Sulu and Celebes Seas. Historically, Sabah was under several chieftains and traded with the Chinese as early as 9th century A.D. Later, the state started trading with the Spanish as well as the Portuguese. During the 15th century, Sabah was a vassal of the Sultan of Brunei. In 1704, the Sultan of Brunei ceded the land east of Murudu Bay to the Sultan of Sulu. In the early 1880’s, Moses, an American trader, obtained a lease over Sabah from Brunei. The lease eventually passed to Alfred Dent, an Englishman. In 1881, he signed a treaty with Brunei and Sulu, converting the lease into a cession, thus British North Borneo (and later changed to Sabah) was born. It was administered by the Chartered Company of British North Borneo until the Japanese occupation. In 1945, after World War II, Sabah became a British Crown Colony. In 1963, it gained independence and joined Malaysia. This East Malaysian state’s handicrafts bear the unique stamp of its many indigenous peoples. In particular look out for beads, hand woven baskets. Pua-weaving indigenous to the states of Sabah and Sarawak, is distinguished by ruddy hues and a predominance of plant and animal motifs International access to Sabah is through its capital, Kota Kinabalu, which receives flights from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Brunei, Jakarta, Seoul, and Taipei. Domestic travel in this vast state is via daily flights between Labuan, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, and Tawau, though large areas are still inaccessible. A rail network stretches from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom, and buses, taxis, and boats are also available.

	People

	With a population of about 2.6 million, comprising of over 30 different races speaking over 80 local dialects, it offers a diverse and multicultural experience. The three main indigenous groups of Sabah are the Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, and Bajau. Others include Kedayans, Sulu, Bisaya, Rumanau, Minokok, and Rungus The largest, the Kadazan-Dusun, make up about a third of the population. These are the prosperous rice producers of Sabah, although in recent times many have ventured into other trades. Living in the interior plains they are well known for their unique customs that feature female priestesses called ‘bobohizan’ presiding over still practiced ancient rituals.

	The Bajaus are skilled fishermen as well as rice farmers they are also experts in rearing ponies and water buffaloes. They live mainly on the east and west coasts. East coast Bajaus are sea nomads, coming ashore only to bury the dead. The West-coast Bajaus are farmers and being dubbed as ‘The cowboys of the East’, they are renowned for their horsemanship.

	The Muruts, being agriculturists and hunters, live in the interior region near the borders of Sarawak and Kalimantan. Once feared for their head hunting, the Muruts are great hunters with spears, blowpipes and poisoned darts. Many still reside in their traditional communal longhouses and they are well known for their elaborate displays of bride-wealth, dancing and feasting.

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