History of Sabah

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The history of Sabah can be traced back to about 20,00030,000 years ago when evidence suggests the earliest human settlement in the region existed. The history is interwoven with the history of Brunei and the history of Malaysia, to which Sabah was previously part of and is currently part of respectively. The earliest recorded history of Sabah being part of any organised civilisation began in the early 16th century during the thriving era of the Sultanate of Brunei. Prior to this, early inhabitants of the land lived in predominantlytribal societies, although such tribal societies had continued to exist until the 1900s.[1] The eastern part of Sabah was ceded to the Sultan of Sulu by the Sultan of Brunei in 1658 for the former helping a victory over Brunei enemies. By the late 19th century, both territories previously owned by Sultan of Brunei and Sultan of Sulu was granted to British syndicate. Sabah became a protectorate of the United Kingdom in 1888 and subsequently became a crown colony until 1963, during which time it was known as North Borneo. On September 16, 1963, Sabah merged with Malaya, Sarawak and Singapore (left in 1965) to form the Federation of Malaysia.

The official flag of the state of Sabah (1988present).

Contents
[hide]

1 Prehistoric Sabah 2 Pre-16th century 3 Sultanate of Brunei 4 North Borneo 5 World War II 6 Independence and formation of Malaysia

6.1 Konfrontasi and the Brunei Revolt

6.2 Philippine claim

7 Post-independence 8 References

[edit]Prehistoric

Sabah

During the Last Glacial Maximum about 20,000 years ago, Sabah and the rest of Borneo island was connected to mainland Asia in a landmass known as the Sundaland. Subsequent deglaciation, which caused global sea level to rise, resulted in the Sundaland being submerged, separating Borneo from the rest of Asia. Earliest human settlement in the region is believed to have dated back about 20,00030,000 years ago. These early humans are believed to be Australoid or Negrito people. Stone tools and artifacts have been found in Madai and Baturong caves and in the archeological site in Lake Tingkayu near the district of Kunak which were estimated to date back from 28,00017,000 years ago. The tools found there were considered advanced for its period.[2] There was evidence of human cave-dwellings around 15,0006,000 years ago. An ongoing 2012 study by Universiti Sains Malaysia and Sabah Museum revealed the discovery of stone tools in Mansuli Valley nearLahad Datu believed to be 235,000 years old[3] and in another site in Kampung Lipasu, Bingkor believed to be at least 200,000 years old.[4] These recent findings suggests that human settlement in Sabah and Malaysia have existed much earlier than previously thought, which is about 40,000 years ago in Niah Caves, Sarawak. The earliest ascertained wave of human migration, believed to be Austronesian Mongoloids, occurred around 3000 BC. This wave of migration is believed to represent the time when the indigenous hill people of present day Sabah had first arrived, namely the Murut and the Kadazan-Dusun, while Brunei Malays settlement appeared somewhat later.[5] It is believed that some Australoid or Negrito people have interbred with later Mongoloid migrants and remained in Borneo,[2] while others have migrated to other places such as Melanesia, the Lesser Sunda Islands or Australia.[6] The theory that Austronesians in Southeast Asia arrived from China through Taiwan has been challenged by Stephen Oppenheimerwho suggested that many cultures including the people of China and India might have actually originated from Sundaland. A new finding based on DNA research in 2008 supported Oppenheimer's theory that migration flow might have been radiated out from Sundaland sometime around 15,000 to 7,000 years ago following the submergence of Sundaland due to rise in sea level.[7][8] The findings of Stephen Oppenheimer was doubted. The poor cultures of sunderland do not support his theory that the people of China and India might have actually originated

from Sundaland. It was the Austronesians in Southeast Asia arrived from China through Taiwan. As for the case of Sabah, the Dusun or the Muruts cultures are less than 200 years old.

[edit]Pre-16th

century

Prior to the expansion of the Sultanate of Brunei most of the coastal region of Borneo has been either ruled or claimed as part of various Hindu communities or kingdoms from around Southeast Asia. However it is uncertain whether the influence of these kingdoms had ever reached the coasts of present-day Sabah. During the 7th century CE, a settled community known as Vijayapura, a tributary to the Srivijaya empire, was thought to have been the earliest beneficiary to the Bruneian Empire existing around the northeast coast of Borneo.[9] Another kingdom which was suspected to have existed according to Chinese records beginning the 9th century was P'o-ni. It was believed that Po-ni existed at the mouth of Brunei River and was the predecessor to the Sultanate of Brunei.[10] The Brunei Annals in 1410 mentioned about a Chinese settlement or province centering in the Kinabatangan Valley in the east coast surrounding Kinabatangan River founded by a man known as Huang Senping. This is consistent with the recent discovery of timbercoffins in the Agop Batu Tulug cave in the Kinabatangan Valley. The coffins, adorned with carvings believed to resemble similar cultural practices in China and Vietnam, are believed to date back from around 700 to 1,000 years ago (11th to 14th century).[11] From the 14th to the 16th century, the Majapahit empire expanded its influence towards Brunei and most of the coastal region of Borneo. Sometime around the late 15th to 18th century, the seafaring Bajau-Suluk people arrived from the Sulu archipelago and had settled on the coasts of Sabah. It is believed that they were fleeing from the oppression of the Spanish colonist in that region.[12]

[edit]Sultanate

of Brunei

Main article: Bruneian Empire The Sultanate of Brunei began after the ruler of Brunei embraced Islam. Some sources indicate that this had occurred around 1365 CE after the ruler, Awang Alak Betatar, converted into Islam and became known as Muhammad Shah.[13] Other sources suggests that the conversion occurred much later around 1514 to 1521 CE, albeit, under the same person.[10][14] During the same period, trade relations flourished, and intermarriages among the natives and Chinese, Japanese, Arab, and Hindu peoples became commonplace. The intermixing of blood resulted in a distinct breed of Palaweos, both in physical stature and features. During the reign of the fifth sultan known as Bolkiah between 14851524, the Sultanate's thalassocracy extended over Sabah, Sulu Archipelago and Manila in the north,

and Sarawak until Banjarmasin in the south.[15] This was during the period when the Sultanate was in its 'golden era'.[16] In 1658, the Sultan of Brunei ceded the northern and eastern portion of Borneo to the Sultan of Sulu in compensation for the latter's help in settling the Brunei Civil War in the Brunei Sultanate. The Sultan of Brunei continued to loosely govern the west coast of Sabah. Many Brunei Malays migrated to this region during this period, although the migration has begun as early as the 15th century after the Brunei conquest of the territory.[17] In 1749, the Sultanate of Borneo ceded southern Palawan to Spain.[18] Within late 1700s, Sultanate of Sulu gave up the rest of its territories to Spain.

[edit]North

Borneo

Main article: North Borneo In 1761, Alexander Dalrymple, an officer of the British East India Company, concluded an agreement with the Sultan of Sulu to allow him to set up a trading post in the region. This plan, together with other attempts to build a settlement and a military station centering around Pulau Balambangan, proved to be a failure. A map by Dalrymple of North Borneo is exhibited in the National Museum of Scotland. There was minimal foreign interest in this region afterward and control over most parts of north Borneo seems to have remained loosely under the Sultanate of Brunei. In 1846, the island of Labuan on the west coast of Sabah was ceded to Britain by the Sultan of Brunei and in 1848 it became a British Crown Colony. Labuan became a base for British operations against piracy in the region.

The first recorded ascent to the highest peak of Mount Kinabalu was made in 1851 by Hugh Low. In 1964, the region was designated as Kinabalu National Park and it was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000.

The first recorded ascent of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Borneo, was made in 1851 by British Malaya colonial administrator and naturalist Hugh Low. The highest peak and the deep gully of the mountain was later named after him.

In 1865 the American Consul General of Brunei, Charles Lee Moses, obtained a 10-year lease over North Borneo from the Sultan of Brunei Abdul Momin. Ownership was then passed to an American trading company owned by Joseph William Torrey, Thomas Bradley Harris, and some Chinese merchants. They set up a base and settlement inKimanis and the Sultan of Brunei appointed Torrey as "The Rajah of Ambong and Marudu". His fortress "Ellena" was located in Kimanis with hundreds of Iban trackers led by Lingkanad. Torrey returned to America in 1877 and died near Boston, Massachusetts, in March 1884. The rights of the trading company were then sold to Gustav Baron Von Overbeck, the Austro-Hungarian Consul in Hong Kong (though he was actually a German national), and he later obtained another 10-year renewal of the lease. The lease was subsequently converted into a cession via a treaty which was signed by the Sultan of Brunei Abdul Momin. In the treaty, the Sultan appointed Overbeck as "Maharajah of Sabah and Rajah of Gaya and Sandakan." The treaty granted Overbeck the right over whole region of Sabah, including parts purporting to be the dominion of the Sulu Sultanate including Sandakan and Tawau. The treaty was signed on December 29, 1877 at the Brunei Palace.[19] On the east coast of North Borneo near Sandakan, William Cowie, on behalf of Dent's company,[20] negotiated and obtained a lease in perpetuity from the Sultan of Sulu over its holdings in this region in 1878. This lease was signed on January 22, 1878 in the palace of the Sultan of Sulu.[21] The lease would later be the subject of dispute by the modern republic of Philippines regarding the sovereignty of the state of Sabah. The rights were subsequently transferred to Alfred Dent, who in 1881 formed the British North Borneo Provisional Association Ltd.[22] In 1881, the British government granted the British North Borneo Company a royal charter. William Hood Treacher was appointed the first British Governor of North Borneo. In the following year, the British North Borneo Company was formed and Kudat was made its capital. Beginning 1882, the Company brought in Chinese people mainly Hakkas from Guangdong province to work as labourers in plantation farms. Most of the migrants settled in Kudat and Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu). In 1883 the capital was moved to Sandakan to capitalise on its potential of vast timber resources. In 1885, United Kingdom, Spain and Germany signed the Madrid Protocol of 1885. The purpose of the protocol was to recognise the sovereignty of Spain in the Sulu Archipelago and also for Spain to relinquish all claims it might have had over North Borneo.[23] In 1888 North Borneo became a protectorate of the United Kingdom. Administration and control over North Borneo remained in the hands of the Company despite being a protectorate and they effectively ruled until 1942. Their rule had been generally peaceful except for some rebellions, including one led by the BajauSuluk leader Mat Salleh from 1894 to 1900,[24] and another led by Antanum of theMuruts known as the Rundum resistance in 1915.[25] Beginning 1920, more Chinese migrants arrived from the provinces of Guangdong,Fujian and even Hebei after the British changed its immigration policy to stimulate the stagnant economy during that period.[26] There was also Javanese migration into Sabah beginning 1891 and subsequent

recruitment of laborers by the British from 1907 onwards.[27]Other significant migrants from presentday Indonesia into Sabah consists of the Bugis people beginning 1890s[28] and the Florenese people from Flores beginning early 1950s.[29] The First Natives Paramount Leader was Pehin Orang Kaya-Kaya Koroh bin Santulan of Keningau "The father of former Sabah State Minister Tan Sri Stephen (Suffian) Koroh, and Sabah's fifth State Governor Tun Thomas (Ahmad) Koroh (the elder brother of Suffian)".Santulan which also a Pengeran, the father to Pehin Orang KayaKaya Koroh was a Murut descendant of Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin, the 25th Sultan of Brunei.

[edit]World

War II

See also: Japanese occupation of Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak and Borneo Campaign (1945)

The Japanese POW camp in Sandakan during World War II.

As part of the Second World War Japanese forces landed in Labuan on January 1, 1942, and continued to invade the rest of North Borneo. From 1942 to 1945, Japanese forcesoccupied North Borneo, along with most of the island. Bombings by the allied forcesdevastated most towns including Sandakan, which was razed to the ground. Resistance against Japanese occupation was concentrated on the west and north coast of North Borneo. The resistance in Jesselton was led by Albert Kwok and Jules Stephens of theKinabalu Guerillas. Another resistance was led by Panglima Alli from Sulug Island, off the coast of Jesselton. In Kudat, there was also some resistance led by Tun Datu Mustapha. On October 10, 1943, the Kinabalu Guerrillas together with followers of Panglima Alli staged a surprise attack on the Japanese. The attack however was foiled. The 324 local residents who participated in the attacks, including Albert Kwok and Panglima Alli, were detained in Petagas and later executed on January 21, 1944.[30] The site of the execution is today known as the Petagas War Memorial.

In Keningau during World War II, Korom was a rebel and some said he was a Sergeant with the North Borneo Armed Constabulary. It was claimed that he spied for the Allied Forces by pretending to be working for the Japanese. He provided intelligence on Japanese positions and some credited him with the escape of 500 Allied POWs. Fighting alongside with Korom in his platoon was Garukon, Lumanib, Kingan, Mikat, Pensyl, Gampak, Abdullah Hashim, Ariff Salleh, Langkab, Polos, Nuing, Ambutit, Lakai, Badau and many more including the Chinese. In Sandakan there was once a brutal POW camp run by the Japanese for British and Australian POWs from North Borneo. The prisoners suffered in agony in their first year of captivity under notoriously inhuman conditions, but much worse was to come through the forced marches of January, March and June 1945 (refer to Sandakan Memorial Park WWII POW Museum Records). Allied bombardments caused the Japanese to relocate the POW camp to inland Ranau, 260 km away. All the prisoners, who by then were reduced to 2504 in number, were to be moved, but instead of transport, were forced to march the infamous Sandakan Death March. Sickness, disease, exhaustion, thirst, hunger, whipping, and shooting killed most of the prisoners, except for six Australians who successfully escaped, were never caught, and survived to tell the horrific story of the death march. The fallen of this march are commemorated each year on Anzac Day (Memorial Day) in Australia and in Sandakan, at the original POW campsite where a POW hut style museum and a black marble memorial obelisk monument are nestled in a peaceful park setting with a lily pond. The war ended with the official surrender by Lieutenant-General Baba Masao of the 37th Japanese Army in Labuan on September 10, 1945. After the surrender, North Borneo was administered by the British Military Administration and in 1946 it became a British Crown Colony. Jesselton replaced Sandakan as the capital and the Crown continued to rule North Borneo until 1963.

[edit]Independence

and formation of Malaysia

On August 31, 1963 North Borneo attained self-government. The idea for the formation of a union of the former British colonies, namely, Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo was mooted as early as in late 19th century, but it was Tunku Abdul Rahman who officially announced the proposal of wider federation in May 1961. It also seemed that this idea was supported by the British.[31] There was a call for complete independence on that date by it was denied by the British Governor who remained in power until Malaysia Day.[32] In 1962, the Cobbold Commission was set up to determine whether the people of Sabah and Sarawak favoured the proposed union. The Commission had found that the union was generally favoured by the people but wanted certain terms and conditions incorporated to safeguard the interest of the people. The Commission had also noted some opposition from the people but decided that such opposition was minor. The Commission published its report on August 1, 1962 and had made several recommendations. Unlike in Singapore, however, no referendum was ever conducted in Sabah.

Most ethnic community leaders of Sabah, namely, Tun Mustapha representing the Muslims, Tun Fuad Stephens representing the non-Muslim natives, and Khoo Siak Chew representing the Chinese, would eventually support the formation. An agreement was signed by Tunku Abdul Rahman, Harold MacMillan, the British Prime Minister, and William Goode, the last Governor of North Borneo, signed on behalf of the territory on August 1, 1962 putting to paper the agreement to form the union. The intention had been to form Malaysia on 31 August 1963 but due to objections from the Philippines and Indonesia, the formation had to be postponed to 16 September 1963. At that point North Borneo, as Sabah, was united with Malaya, Sarawak and Singapore, to form the independent the Federation of Malaysia.[33][34] To safeguard the interest of North Borneo in the new federation, a 20-point agreement was entered into between the federal and the state government.

[edit]Konfrontasi

and the Brunei Revolt

Main articles: Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation and Brunei Revolt Leading up to the formation of Malaysia until 1966, Indonesia adopted a hostile policy towards Malaya and subsequently Malaysia, which was backed by British forces. This undeclared war stems from what Indonesian President Sukarno perceive as an expansion of British influence in the region and his intention to wrest control over the whole of Borneo under the Indonesian republic. Around the same time, there were proposals from certain parties, particularly by the Brunei People's Party, for the formation of a North Borneo Federation consisting of Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. The proposal culminated in rebel attacks in Brunei and some parts of Sabah and Sarawak. The rebellion was foiled by the Bruneian Army with the help of the British colonials in December 1962.

[edit]Philippine

claim

Main article: North Borneo dispute Philippines maintains a dormant claim over the sovereignty of eastern Sabah based on the claim that in 1658 the Sultan of Brunei had ceded the northeast portion of Borneo to the Sultan of Sulu; and that later in 1878, an agreement was signed by the Sultan of Sulu granting the North Borneo Chartered Company a permanent lease over the territory. Malaysia considered this dispute as a "non-issue", as there is no desire from the actual people of Sabah to be part of the Philippines or of the Sultanate of Sulu.[35][36] As reported by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the independence of North Borneo was brought about as the result of the expressed wish of the majority of the people of the territory in a 1963 election.[37]

[edit]Post-independence

Tun Fuad Stephens became the first chief minister of Sabah. The first Governor (Yang di-Pertuan Negeri) was Tun Mustapha. Sabah held its first state election in 1967. Until 2008, a total of 11 state elections has been held. Sabah has had 13 different chief ministersand 9 different Yang di-Pertua Negeri as of 2009. Tun Mustapha became the 3rd chief minister following the first state election. Beginning 1970, Filipino refugees from the Mindanaobegan arriving in Sabah as a result of the Moro insurgency taking place in that region.[12] On June 6, 1976, after only 44 days being elected for the second time as chief minister, Tun Fuad Stephens together with other state cabinet ministers died in a fatal plane crash known as the Double Six Tragedy. He was replaced by Harris Salleh. On June 14, 1976, the government of Sabah signed an agreement with Petronas, the federal government-owned oil and gas company, granting it the right to extract and earn revenue from petroleum found in the territorial waters of Sabah in exchange for 5% in annual revenue asroyalties.[38] Under the leadership of Harris Salleh, the state government of Sabah ceded the island of Labuan and its 6 smaller islands to the Malaysian federal government and it was declared a federal territory on April 16, 1984.

Kota Kinabalu in 2008. It became the first city in the state in 2000 and has become not only the administrative capital but also the economic and transportation hub of the region.

In 1985, following the state elections, Pairin Kitingan of Parti Bersatu Sabah(PBS) became the seventh chief minister and this marked the second time in Malaysia where a party not affiliated with the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) or its predecessor, the Alliance Party, formed government in any state (preceded by Gerakan in Penang in 1969 and followed by PAS inKelantan in 1990). In 1986, opponents of the newly elected PBS government started riots around the state, mainly in the cities of Kota Kinabalu, Tawauand Sandakan, resulting in bombings and five fatalities. Peace was gradually restored following a snap election in 1986 which consolidated PBS' position as the ruling state government.[39][40] From 1990 to 1991, several PBS politicians were arrested under the Internal Security Act for allegedly being involved in plans to secede Sabah from the Malaysian Federation and detained for two years. Among those

arrested wereJeffrey Kitingan and Maximus Ongkili. Other politicians, including Pairin, were hit with corruption charges. The arrests and charges were suspected to be politically motivated.[41] Following the 1994 state election, Barisan Nasional regained control of the state via the creation of the Sabah chapter of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party and other parties. The rotation system was introduced by the then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad in which the chief ministerial post would be rotated every two years among the three main communities in Sabah, namely, the Muslim Bumiputeras, non-Muslim Bumiputeras and the Chinese. Sakaran Dandai became the first chief minister under this system in 1994. The rotation system was finally abolished in 2005 with current chief minister Musa Aman at the helm. On December 26, 1996, Sabah was hit by one of the worst tropical storm known as Tropical Storm Greg. The storm hit the western coast of the state resulting in over 200 deaths and thousands of home destroyed. In 2000, the state capital Kota Kinabalu was granted city status, making it the 6th city in Malaysia and the first city in the state. Also this year, Kinabalu National Park was officially designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, making it the first site in the country to be given such designation. On May 3, 2000, the Abu Sayyaf militant group from southern Philippines arrived on the resort island of Sipadan and kidnapped 21 people consisting of tourists and resort workers for ransom. Most hostages were rescued on September 16, 2000 following an offensive by the Philippine army. In 2002, the International Court of Justice ruled that the islands of Sipadan and Ligitan, claimed by Indonesia, are part of Sabah andMalaysia.[42]

abah
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the Malaysian state. For the Caribbean island, see Saba. For other uses, see Sabah (disambiguation). Sabah
State

Land Below The Wind

Flag

Coat of arms

Motto: Sabah Maju Jaya Anthem: Sabah Tanah Airku (Sabah My Homeland)

Sabah in

Malaysia

Coordinates:

515N 1170ECoordinates:

515N 1170E

Capital Government Yang di-Pertua Negeri Chief Minister Area[1] Total Population (2010)[2] Total Density Demonym Human Development Index HDI (2010) Postal code Calling code

Kota Kinabalu

Juhar Mahiruddin Musa Aman (BN)

73,631 km2(28,429 sq mi)

3,117,405 42/km2 (110/sq mi) Sabahan

0.643 (medium) (14th) 88xxx to 91xxx 087 (Inner District) 088 (Kota Kinabalu &Kudat) 089 (Lahad

Datu,Sandakan & Tawau)

Vehicle registration

SA,SAA,SAB (Kota
Kinabalu & Kota Belud)

SB (Beaufort) SD (Lahad Datu) SK (Kudat) SS (Sandakan) ST (Tawau) SU (Keningau) Former name Brunei Sultanate Sulu Sultanate British North Borneo Japanese occupation British Crown Colony Self-governance Accession with theFederation of Malayato form Malaysia Website
[5]

North Borneo 16th century 1658 1882 19411945 1946 31 August 1963[3][4] 16 September 1963[6]

www.sabah.gov.my

Sabah is one of the 13 member states of Malaysia, and is its easternmost state. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south. The capital of Sabah isKota Kinabalu, formerly known as Jesselton. Sabah is often referred to as "The Land Below The Wind", a phrase used by seafarers in the past to describe lands south of the typhoon belt.
Contents
[hide]

1 Etymology 2 Geography

2.1 Conservation

3 History

o o o o

3.1 Brunei Empire 3.2 British North Borneo 3.3 Japanese occupation 3.4 Federation of Malaysia

4 Demographics

o o o

4.1 Population 4.2 Language and ethnicity 4.3 Religion

5 Economy

o o o o o

5.1 Agriculture 5.2 Tourism 5.3 Manufacturing 5.4 Urban centres and ports 5.5 Issues

6 Government

o o o o

6.1 Executive 6.2 Legislature 6.3 Politics of Sabah 6.4 Local government

7 Education and culture

o o o o o o o

7.1 Universities 7.2 Colleges 7.3 Communication 7.4 Movies and TV 7.5 Sports 7.6 Literature 7.7 Ethnic dances

8 Notable residents 9 Territorial dispute 10 See also 11 References 12 External links

[edit]Etymology

The origin of the name Sabah is uncertain, and there are many theories that have arisen. One theory is that during the time it was part of the Bruneian Sultanate, it was referred to as Saba because of the presence of pisang saba, a type of banana, found on the coasts of

the region. Due to the location of Sabah in relation to Brunei, it has been suggested that Sabah was a Bruneian Malay word meaning upstream[7] or the northern side of the river.[8] Another theory suggests that it came from the Malay wordsabak which means a place where palm sugar is extracted. Sabah is also an Arabicword which means sunrise. The presence of multiple theories makes it difficult to pinpoint the true origin of the name. [9] It has been said that Sabah was once referred to as Seludang in a 1365 Javanese text known as Nagarakretagama written by Mpu Prapanca.[10]
[edit]Geography

Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain inMalay Archipelago.

The western part of Sabah is generally mountainous, containing the three highest mountains in Malaysia. The most prominent range is the Crocker Range which houses several mountains of varying height from about 1,000 metres to 4,000 metres. At the height of 4,095 metres, Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malay Archipelago (excluding New Guinea) and the 10th highest mountain in political Southeast Asia. The jungles of Sabah are classified as tropical rainforests and host a diverse array of plant and animal species.Kinabalu National Park was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000 because of its richness in plant diversity combined with its unique geological, topographical, and climatic conditions.[11]

Highway 22 section from Ranau to Kota Kinabalu in Kundasang.

Lying nearby Mount Kinabalu is Mount Tambuyukon. With a height of 2,579 metres, it is the third highest peak in the country. Adjacent to the Crocker Range is the Trus Madi Rangewhich houses the second highest peak in the country, Mount Trus Madi, with a height of 2,642 metres. There are lower ranges of hills extending towards the western coasts, southern plains, and the interior or central part of Sabah. These mountains and hills are traversed by an extensive network of river valleys and are in most cases covered with dense rainforest. The central and eastern portion of Sabah are generally lower mountain ranges and plains with occasional hills. Kinabatangan River begins from the western ranges and snakes its way through the central region towards the east coast out into the Sulu Sea. It is the second longest river in Malaysia after Rajang River at a length of 560 kilometres. The forests surrounding the river valley also contains an array of wildlife habitats, and is the largest forest-covered floodplain in Malaysia.[12]

The northern tip of Borneo atTanjung Simpang Mengayau.

Other important wildlife regions in Sabah include Maliau Basin, Danum Valley, Tabin, Imbak Canyon and Sepilok. These places are either designated as national parks, wildlife reserves, virgin jungle reserves, or protection forest reserve. Over three quarters of the human population inhabit the coastal plains. Major towns and urban centres have sprouted along the coasts of Sabah. The interior region remains sparsely populated with only villages, and the occasional small towns or townships. Beyond the coasts of Sabah lie a number of islands and coral reefs, including the largest island in Malaysia, Pulau Banggi. Other large islands include, Pulau Jambongan, Pulau Balambangan,Pulau Timbun Mata, Pulau Bumbun, and Pulau Sebatik. Other popular islands mainly for tourism are, Pulau Sipadan, Pulau Selingan, Pulau Gaya, Pulau Tiga, and Pulau Layang-Layang.
[edit]Conservation

National or state park areas in Sabah are under the protection of Sabah Parks. Other reserves or protected areas are under the governance of the Sabah Forestry Department and Sabah Foundation.

Kinabalu Park the highest mountain in Malay archipelago (excluding New Guinea) and the 10th highest mountain in politicalSoutheast Asia, with an altitude of 4,101 metres (13,455 ft).

Tabin Wildlife Reserve - Stronghold for rare large mammals like Bornean elephant, Sumatran rhinoceros, Bornean banteng andBornean clouded leopard Danum Valley Conservation Area - another important reserve for large mammals of Borneo, including Bornean orang-utan Turtle Islands Park conservation efforts for endangered sea turtles Tunku Abdul Rahman Park A national park consisting of five islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu Sipadan Park Located near Semporna, the oceanic island of Sipadan has a very rich underwater ecosystem. Pulau Tiga Park Crocker Range Park Tawau Hills Park

[edit]History

Main article: History of Sabah Earliest human migration and settlement into the region is believed to have dated back about 20,00030,000 years ago. These early humans are believed to be Australoid or Negrito people. The next wave of human migration, believed to be Austronesian Mongoloids, occurred around 3000 BC.
[edit]Brunei

Empire

Main articles: Bruneian Empire and History of Brunei During the 7th century CE, a settled community known as Vijayapura, a tributary to the Srivijaya empire, was thought to have been the earliest beneficiary to the Bruneian Empire existing around the northeast coast of Borneo.[13] Another kingdom which suspected to have existed beginning the 9th century was P'o-ni. It was believed that Po-ni existed at the mouth of Brunei River and was the predecessor to the Sultanate of Brunei.[14] The Sultanate of Brunei began after the ruler of Brunei embraced Islam. During the reign of the

fifth sultan known as Bolkiah between 14731524, the Sultanate's thalassocracy extended over Sabah, Sulu Archipelago andManila in the north, and Sarawak until Banjarmasin in the south.[15] In 1658, the Sultan of Brunei ceded the northern and eastern portion of Borneo to the Sultan of Sulu in compensation for the latter's help in settling a civil war in the Brunei Sultanate. In 1749, the Sultanate of Borneo ceded southern Palawan, to Spain. [16] Within late 1700s, Sultanate of Sulu gave up the rest of its territories to Spain.
[edit]British

North Borneo

Main article: North Borneo

Alexander Dalrymple, an officer of the British East India Company who concluded an agreement with the Sultan of Sulu.

In 1761, Alexander Dalrymple, an officer of the British East India Company, concluded an agreement with the Sultan of Sulu to allow him to set up a trading post in the region, although it proved to be a failure. In 1846, the island of Labuan on the west coast of Sabah was ceded to Britain by the Sultan of Brunei and in 1848 it became a British Crown Colony. Following a series of transfers, the rights to North Borneo were transferred to Alfred Dent, whom in 1881 formed the British North Borneo Provisional Association Ltd (predecessor to British North Borneo Company).[17] In the following year, the British North Borneo Company was formed and Kudat was made its capital. In 1883 the capital was moved to Sandakan. In 1885, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Germany signed the Madrid Protocol of 1885, which recognised the sovereignty of Spain in the Sulu Archipelago in return for the relinquishment of all Spanish claims over North Borneo.[18] In 1888 North Borneo became aprotectorate of the United Kingdom.
[edit]Japanese

occupation

The Japanese forces landed at the West Coast Division of North Borneo.

As part of the Second World War, Japanese forces landed in Labuan on 1 January 1942, and continued to invade the rest of North Borneo. From 1942 to 1945, Japanese forces occupied North Borneo, along with most of the island. Bombings by the allied forces devastated of most towns including Sandakan, which was razed to the ground. In Sandakan there was once a brutal POW camp run by the Japanese for British and Australian POWs from North Borneo. The prisoners suffered under notoriously inhuman conditions, and Allied bombardments caused the Japanese to relocate the POW camp to inland Ranau, 260 km away. All the prisoners, then were reduced to 2504 in number, were forced to march the infamous Sandakan Death March. Except for six Australians, all of the prisoners died. The war ended on 10 September 1945. After the surrender, North Borneo was administered by the British Military Administration and in 1946 it became a British Crown Colony. Jesselton replaced Sandakan as the capital and the Crown continued to rule North Borneo until 1963.
[edit]Federation

of Malaysia

The signing of the Cobbold Report of theCommission of Enquiry, North Borneo andSarawak at Knebworth House, London on 21 June 1962.

On 31 August 1963 North Borneo attained self-government. 1962, the Cobbold Commission was set up to determine whether the people of Sabah and Sarawak favoured the proposed union, and found that the union was generally favoured by the people. Most ethnic community leaders of Sabah, namely, Tun Mustapha representing the Muslims, Tun Fuad Stephens representing the non-Muslim natives, and Khoo Siak Chew representing the Chinese, would eventually support the formation. On 16 September 1963 North Borneo, as Sabah, was united with Malaya, Sarawak and Singapore, to form the independentFederation of Malaysia.[19][20][21]

The Malaysian proclamation been held atJesselton, North Borneo on 16 September 1963.

From before the formation of Malaysia till 1966, Indonesia adopted a hostile policy towards the British backed Malaya, and after union to Malaysia. This undeclared war stems from what Indonesian President Sukarno perceive as an expansion of British influence in the region and his intention to wrest control over the whole of Borneo under the Indonesian republic. Tun Fuad Stephens became the first chief minister of Sabah. The first Governor (Yang di-Pertuan Negeri) was Tun Mustapha. Sabah held its first state election in 1967. Until 2008, a total of 11 state elections has been held. Sabah has had 13 different chief ministers and 9 different Yang di-Pertua Negeri as of 2009. Beginning 1970, Filipinorefugees from the Mindanao began arriving in Sabah as a result of the Moro insurgencytaking place in that region.[22] On 14 June 1976 the government of Sabah signed an agreement with Petronas, the federal government-owned oil and gas company, granting it the right to extract and earn revenue from petroleum found in the territorial waters of Sabah in exchange for 5% in annual revenue as royalties.[23] The state government of Sabah ceded the island of Labuan and its 6 smaller islands to the Malaysian federal government and it was declared a federal territory on 16 April 1984. In 2000, the state capital Kota Kinabalu was granted city status, making it the 6th city in Malaysia and the first city in the state. Also this year, Kinabalu National Park was officially designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, making it the first site in the country to be

given such designation. In 2002, the International Court of Justice ruled that the islands of Sipadan and Ligitan, claimed byIndonesia, are part of Sabah and Malaysia.[24] In February 2013, the Sabah village of Tanduo in the Lahad Datu region was occupied by several armed Filipino supporters of theSultanate of Sulu, calling themselves as the Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo. They were sent byJamalul Kiram III, a claimant to the throne of the sultanate. His stated goal is to assert the Philippine territorial claim to eastern Sabah as part of the North Borneo dispute.[25][26][27] In response, Malaysian security forces surrounded the village. Attempts by the Malaysian and the Philippine governments to reach a peaceful solution with the Sultan's supporters were unsuccessful and the standoff escalated into an armed conflict on 1 March 2013. [28][29]
[edit]Demographics [edit]Population

Main article: Project IC

Population in North Borneo 1960 Census[30] (now Sabah and Labuan Island)
Population Percent

Kadazan-Dusun Murut Bajau Brunei Malay Other Muslim groups Indonesians Filipinos Chinese

32% 4.9% 13.1% 0.4% 15.8% 5.5% 1.6% 23%

Sources: British North Borneo (1961)

Sabahs population numbered 651,304 in 1970 and grew to 929,299 a decade later. But in the two decades following 1980, the states population rose significantly by a staggering 1.5 million people, reaching 2,468,246 by 2000, that as of 2010, this number had grown further to 3,117,405, with foreigners making up a 27% [31] The population of Sabah is 3,117,405 as of the last census 2010 showed more than 400 percent increase from the census 1970 (from 651,304 in 1970 to 3,117,405 in 2010). [32] and is the third most populous state in Malaysia afterSelangor and Johor. Sabah has one of the highest population growth rates in the country as a result of illegal immigrants (and oftentimes state-sponsored) from the Muslim-dominated southern provinces of Philippines who were of Malay stock by granting citizenship to illegal or legal immigrants.[33][34] And, now the Borneon Sabahan most of Christian faith become minorities in their own homeland,[30][35]therefore, on 1 June 2012, Prime

Minister Najib Razak of the Malaysia announced that the federal government has agreed to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry(RCI) to investigate problems related.[36]
Population in Sabah 2010 Census[37]
Population Percent

Kadazan-Dusun Murut Bajau Brunei Malay Other bumiputra[38] Chinese Other nonbumiputra Non-Malaysian citizen

17.82% 3.22% 14% 5.71% 20.56% 9.11% 1.5% 27.81%

Sources: Department of Statistics, Malaysia.

The population estimates based on ethnic groups in 2010 are as follows:[39]

Kadazan-Dusun: 17.82% (555,647) Bajau: 14% (436,672) Brunei Malay: 5.71% (178,029) Murut: 3.22% (100,631) Other bumiputra:[38] 20.56% (640,964) which consists of Rungus, Iranun, Bisaya, Tatana, Lun Bawang/Lun Dayeh, Tindal, Tobilung, Kimaragang, Suluk, Ubian, Tagal, Timogun, Nabay, Kedayan, Orang Sungai, Makiang, Minokok, Mangkaak, Lobu, Bonggi, Tidong, Bugis, Idaan (Idahan), Begahak, Kagayan, Talantang, Tinagas, Banjar, Gana, Kuijau, Tombonuo, Dumpas, Peluan, Baukan, Sino, Jawa

Chinese (majority Hakka): 9.11% (284,049) Other non-bumiputra: 1.5% (47,052) Non-Malaysian citizens (Filipino, Indonesian): 27.81% (867,190)

[edit]Language

and ethnicity

Malay language is the national language spoken across ethnicities, although Sabahan dialect called Baku is different from West Malaysian dialect of Johor-Riau.[40] Sabah also has its own slang for many words in Malay, mostly originated from indigenous or Indonesian words. In addition, indigenous languages such as Kadazan, Dusun, Bajau and Murut have their own segments on state radio broadcast as well as English. Chavacano is also spoken in the town of Semporna, as Sabah was part of Spanish Philippines until late 19th century. The people of Sabah are divided into 32 officially recognised ethnic groups, in which 28 are recognized as Bumiputra, or indigenous people.[3] The largest non-bumiputra ethnic group is the Chinese (13.2%). The predominant Chinese dialect group in Sabah is Hakka, followed

by Cantonese and Hokkien. Most Chinese people in Sabah are concentrated in the major cities and towns, namely Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau. The largest indigenous ethnic group is Kadazan-Dusun, followed by Bajau, and Murut. There is a much smaller proportion of Indians and other South Asians in Sabah compared to other parts of Malaysia. Cocos people is a minority ethnic residing in Sabah especially at the Tawau Division. Collectively, all persons coming from Sabah are known as Sabahans and identify themselves as such. Sabah demography consists of many ethnic groups, for example:
Kadazan-Dusun Bruneian Malay Malay Kwijau Murut Bajau Illanun[41] Lotud Rungus Tambanuo Dumpas Mangka'ak Orang Sungai Kedayan Bisaya Tidong Maragang Ida'an Minokok Rumanau Paitan Lun Bawang/Lun Dayeh Orang Cocos Suluk Sabah born Chinese (Malaysian) including mixed parentage with natives (Sino)

Other inhabitants:

West Malaysian Malay, Chinese, Indian Chinese Hakka, Cantonese, Teochew, Hainanese Filipino Chavacano, Visayan, Ilocano, Badjao, Iranun, Tausug/Suluk, Tagalog Indonesian Bugis, Javanese, Ambonese, Banjarese, Torajan, Chinese Indonesian Indian Punjabi, Tamil Sarawakian Iban, Penan, Dayak, Orang Ulu, Melayu Sarawak, Sarawakian Chinese Pakistani Pashtun Arab people Hadhrami Eurasian Timorese Japanese Koreans

[edit]Religion

Since independence in 1963, Sabah has undergone a significant change in its religious composition, particularly in the percentage of its population professing Islam. In 1960, the percentage of Muslims is 37.9%, Christians - 16.6%, while about one-third remained animist.[42] In 2010, the percentage of Muslims has increased to 65.4%, while people professing Christianity at 26.6% and Buddhism at 6.1%. This is due in part to aggressive Islamization activities and policies during the years 19691975, when the state was under the chief ministership of USNO's Tun Mustapha bin Datuk Harun, together with tacit support of the federal government. On 14 October 1969, USNO formed the Pertubuhan Islam Seluruh Sabah - USIA (United Sabah Islamic Association),[43] which has carried out a campaign of Islamization throughout the state, together with the Federal government assistance to infuse Islamic values into government administration and civil services,[44] funding Islamic religious establishments and launched a massive Malayisation program to realize its goal. People who opposed to this were considered extremist or deviant, and some people were detained under ISA.[45] In 1973, USNO amended the Sabah Constitution to make Islam the religion of State of Sabah. USIA vigorously promote conversion of Sabahans natives to Islam by offering rewards and office position, and also through migration of Muslim immigrants from the Phillipines and Indonesia. Expulsion of Christian missionaries from the state were also performed to reduce Christian proselytization of Sabahan natives.[46] These policies were continued when Sabah was under the BERJAYA's administration headed by Datuk Harris, in which he openly exhorted to Muslims of the need to have a Muslim majority, to control the Christian Kadazans (without the help of the Chinese minority).[47] Filipino Muslims and other Muslim immigrants from Indonesia and even Pakistan were brought into the state to process thousands of identity cards for Sabah illegal immigrants in the early 1990s to help topple the PBS state government.[48] As a result, this has significantly altered the demography of Sabah in just 50 years.
Religion in Sabah - 2010 Census[35]
Religion Percent

Islam Christianity Buddhism Other No religion

65.4% 26.6% 6.1% 1.6% 0.3%

As of 2010 the population of Sabah follows:

2,096,153 Muslim 853,726 Christian 194,428 Buddhist 3037 Hindu 2495 Confucianism/Taoism 3467 followers of other religions 9850 non-religious 43,586 unknown religion

[edit]Economy

Sabah economy relies on three key development sectors; agriculture, tourism and manufacturing. Petroleum and palm oil remained the two most exported commodities. Sabah imports mainly automobiles and machinery, petroleum products and fertilizers, food and manufactured goods.[49]
[edit]Agriculture

Sabah was traditionally heavily dependent on lumber based on export of tropical timber, but with increasing depletion at an alarming rate of the natural forests, ecological efforts to save the remaining natural rainforest areas were made in early 1982 through forest conservation methods by collecting seeds of different species particularly acacia mangium and planting it to pilot project areas pioneered by the Sandakan Forest Research Institute researchers, however, palm oil has emerged as a choice of farmers to plant as crops. Other agricultural products important in the Sabah economy include rubber and cacao. America's lobster breeding company Darden will start a huge investment to breed lobsters in Sabah waters for export to the United States in the coming years. Agriculture sector is supported by Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture & Food Industry and Palm Oil Industrial Cluster.
[edit]Tourism

Tourism, particularly eco-tourism, is a major contributor to the economy of Sabah. In 2006, 2,000,000 tourists visited Sabah[50] and it is estimated that the number will continue to rise following vigorous promotional activities by the state and national tourism boards and also increased stability and security in the region. Sabah currently has six national parks. One of these, the Kinabalu National Park, was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2000. It is the first[51] of two sites in Malaysia to obtain this status, the other being theGunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak. These parks are maintained and controlled by Sabah

Parks under the Parks Enactment 1984. The Sabah Wildlife Department also has conservation, utilisation, and management responsibilities.[52] Tourism sector is supported byMinistry of Tourism, Culture & Environment and Sabah Tourism Board.
[edit]Manufacturing

There are hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and industries (SMIs) in Sabah[53] and some companies have become a household name such as Gardenia. Sabah government is seriously pursuing industrialization with the Sabah Development Corridor plan specifically in Sepanggar area where KKIP Industrial Park and Sepanggar Container Port Terminal located. Sabah manufacturing are supported by Ministry of Industrial Development and Department of Industrial Development & Research.
[edit]Urban

centres and ports

Kota Kinabalu City.

Sandakan City.

There are currently 7 ports in Sabah: Kota Kinabalu Port, Sepanggar Bay Container Port, Sandakan Port, Tawau Port, Kudat Port, Kunak Port, and Lahad Datu Port. These ports are operated and maintained by Sabah Ports Authority.[54] The major towns and city are:
Rank City Population[55]

Kota Kinabalu

617,972

Sandakan

501,195

Tawau

402,400

Lahad Datu

213,100

Keningau

195,700

Semporna

140,400

Kudat

85,400

[edit]Issues

In the 1970s, Sabah was ranked second behind Selangor including Kuala Lumpur as the richest state in Malaysia.[56] As of 2010, Sabah is the poorest state in Malaysia. GDP growth was 2.4%, the lowest in Malaysia behind Kelantan.[57] Proportion of population living below US$1 per day declined from 30% in 1990 to 20% in 2009 but still lag behind other states that have lowered poverty rate significantly from 17% in 1990 to 4% in 2009. [58] Slum is nonexistent in Malaysia but the highest number of squatter settlements is in Sabah with households between 20,000 to 40,000. After Kuala Lumpur, most low-cost public housing units under the People's Housing Program were built in Sabah. Cabotage policy imposed on Sabah and Sarawak is one of the reason behind the higher price of goods. The rules set in early 1980s made sure that all domestic transport of foreign goods between peninsula and Sabah ports are only for Malaysian company vessels. This

leads to shipping cartel charging excessive costs and ultimately a higher cost of living in East Malaysia.[59] Cabotage rules also affected the industry sector. Tan Chong Motor is planning to build a Nissan 4WD factory in KKIP but higher cost of shipping stalled the plan that could provide new jobs.[60] Lack of industry providing jobs for professional and highly skilled workers forced large numbers of Sabahans to seek opportunities in Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and United States. The 5% fixed oil royalty Sabah currently receives from Petronas according to Petroleum Development Act 1974 is also an issue of contention.[61] The three oil producing states namely Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu demanded Petronas to review the agreement and increase royalty to no avail.
[edit]Government

Main article: Government of Sabah Sabah is a representative democracy with universal suffrage for all citizens above 21 years of age. However, legislation regarding state elections are within the powers of the federal government and not the state.
[edit]Executive

Main article: List of Chief Ministers of Sabah The Yang di-Pertua Negeri sits at the top of the hierarchy followed by the state legislative assembly and the state cabinet. The Yang di-Pertuan Negeri is officially the head of state however its functions are largely ceremonial. The chief minister is the head of government and is also the leader of the state cabinet. The legislature is based on the Westminster system and therefore the chief minister is appointed based on his or her ability to command the majority of the state assembly. A general election representatives in the state assembly must be held every five years. This is the only elected government body in the state, with local authorities being fully appointed by the state government owing to the suspension of local elections by the federal government. The assembly meets at the state capital, Kota Kinabalu.
[hide]# Chief Minister Took office Left office Party

Tun Fuad Stephens (1st term) September 16, 1963 December 31, 1964

Alliance (UNKO)

Peter Lo Sui Yin

January 1, 1965

May 12, 1967

Alliance (SCA)

Mustapha Harun

May 12, 1967

November 1, 1975

Alliance (USNO)

Mohamad Said Keruak

November 1, 1975

April 18, 1976

Barisan Nasional (USNO)

Tun Fuad Stephens (2nd term)

April 18, 1976

June 6, 1976

Barisan Nasional (BERJAYA)

Harris Salleh

June 6, 1976

April 22, 1985

Barisan Nasional (BERJAYA)

Parti Bersatu Sabah

(19851986)

Joseph Pairin Kitingan

April 22, 1985

March 17, 1994

Barisan Nasional (PBS)

(19861990)

Parti Bersatu Sabah

(19901994)

Sakaran Dandai

March 17, 1994

December 27, 1994

Barisan Nasional (UMNO)

Salleh Said Keruak

December 27, 1994

May 28, 1996

Barisan Nasional (UMNO)

10

Yong Teck Lee

May 28, 1996

May 28, 1998

Barisan Nasional (SAPP)

11

Bernard Dompok

May 28, 1998

March 14, 1999

Barisan Nasional (UPKO)

12

Osu Sukam

March 14, 1999

March 27, 2001

Barisan Nasional (UMNO)

13

Chong Kah Kiat

March 27, 2001

March 27, 2003

Barisan Nasional (LDP)

14

Musa Aman

March 27, 2003

present

Barisan Nasional (UMNO)

[edit]Legislature

Main article: Sabah State Legislative Assembly

Composition of Sabah State Legislative Political Party UMNO PBS UPKO LDP MCA PBRS SAPP DAP Legislative Assembly 32 12 4 2 1 1 2 1
Source: Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya

Parliament Members 13 3 4 1 0 1 2 1

Members of the state assembly are elected from 60 constituencies which are delineated by the Election Commission of Malaysia and may not necessarily result in constituencies of same voter population sizes. Sabah is also represented in the federal parliament by 25 members elected from the same number of constituencies. The present elected state and federal government posts are held by Barisan Nasional (BN), acoalition of parties which includes United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation(UPKO), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA).[62]
[edit]Politics

of Sabah

See also: Politics of Malaysia Prior to the formation of Malaysia in 1963, the then North Borneo interim government submitted a 20-point agreement to the Malayan government as conditions before Sabah would join the Federation. Subsequently, North Borneo legislative assembly agreed on the formation of Malaysia on the conditions that these state rights were safeguarded. Sabah hence entered Malaysia as an autonomous state. However, there is a prevailing view

amongst Sabahan that beginning from the second tenure of BERJAYA's administration under Datuk Harris, this autonomy has been gradually eroded under the federal influence and hegemony.[63] Amongst political contention often raised by Sabahans are the cession of Labuan island to Federal government and unequal sharing and exploitation of Sabah's resources of petroleum. This has resulted in strong anti-federal sentiments and even occasional call for secession from the Federation amongst the people of Sabah. Until the Malaysian general election, 2008, Sabah, along with the states of Kelantan and Terengganu, are the only three states in Malaysia that had ever been ruled by opposition parties not part of the ruling BN coalition. Led by Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, PBS formed government after winning the 1985 elections and ruled Sabah until 1994. In 1994 Sabah state election, despite PBS winning the elections, subsequent crossovers of PBS assembly members to the BN component party resulted in BN having majority of seats and hence took over the helm of the state government.[64] A unique feature of Sabah politics was a policy initiated by then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1994 whereby the chief minister's post is rotated among the coalition parties every 2 years regardless of the party in power at the time, thus theoretically giving an equal amount of time for each major ethnic group to rule the state. However, in practice this system was problematic as it is too short for any leader to carry-out long term plan.[65] This practice has since stopped with power now held by majority in the state assembly by the UMNO party, which also holds a majority in the national parliament. Direct political intervention by the federal, for example, introduction and later convenient [for UMNO] abolition of the chief minister's post and earlier PBS-BERJAYA conflict in 1985, along with co-opting rival factions in East Malaysia, is sometimes seen as a political tactic by the UMNO-led federal government to control and manage the autonomous power of the Borneo states.[66] The federal government however tend to view that these actions are justifiable as the display of parochialism amongst East Malaysians is not in harmony with nation building. This complicated Federal-State relations hence become a source of major contention in Sabah politics.

[edit]Local

government

Administrative divisions and districts of Sabah.

Sabah consists of five administrative divisions, which are in turn divided into 25districts. These administrative divisions are, for all purposes, just for reference. During the British rule until the transition period when Malaysia was formed, aResident was appointed to govern each division and provided with a palace (Istana). This means that the British considered each of these divisions equivalent to a Malayan state. The post of the Resident was abolished in favour of district officers for each of the district.
Division Name Area (km) Population (2010)[67]

[hide]

Districts

West Coast Division

Kota Belud, Kota Kinabalu, Papar,Penampang, Putatan, Ranau, Tuaran

7,588

1,067,589

Interior Division

Beaufort, Nabawan, Keningau, Kuala Penyu, Sipitang, Tambunan, Tenom

18,298

424,534

Kudat Division Kota Marudu, Kudat, Pitas

4,623

192,457

Sandakan Division

Beluran, Kinabatangan, Sandakan,Tongod

28,205

702,207

Tawau

Kunak, Lahad Datu, Semporna,Tawau

14,905

819,955

Division

As in the rest of Malaysia, local government comes under the purview of state governments.[68] However, ever since the suspension of local government elections in the midst of the Malaysian Emergency, which was much less intense in Sabah than it was in the rest of the country, there have been no local elections. Local authorities have their officials appointed by the executive council of the state government.[69][70]
[edit]Education

and culture

See also: List of schools in Sabah

[edit]Universities

Panorama of UMS.

Official Name in Malay

Name in English

Acronym

Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Malaysia Sabah University

UMS

Universiti Teknologi MARA MARA Technology University UiTM

Universiti Terbuka Malaysia Open University Malaysia [edit]Colleges Official Name in Malay

OUM

Name in English

Acronym

Website

Kolej Kinabalu

Kinabalu College

[3]

Official Name in Malay

Name in English

Acronym

Website

Institut Seni Sabah

Sabah Institute of Art

SIA

[4]

Kolej Yayasan Sabah

Sabah Foundation College

KYS

[5]

Kolej SIDMA Sabah

SIDMA College Sabah

SIDMA

[6]

Kolej Pelancongan Asia Antarabangsa

Asian Tourism International College

ATIC

[7]

Sekolah Perniagaan AMC

Advanced Management College

AMC

[8]

Politeknik Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic

POLITEKNIK

[9]

Kolej Pentadbiran Dinamik Antarabangsa Sabah International Dynamic Management Sabah College

SIDMA

[10]

Institut Sinaran

Sinaran Institute

SINARAN

[11]

Kolej Antarabangsa AlmaCrest

AlmaCrest International College

ACIC

[12]

Kolej Eastern

Eastern College

EASTERN

[13]

Institut Prima Bestari

Prima Bestari Institute

IPB

[14]

Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman

Tunku Abdul Rahman College

TAR

[15]

Kolej Informatics

Informatics College

INFORMATICS

Kolej INTI

INTI College

INTI

[16]

Official Name in Malay

Name in English

Acronym

Website

Pusat Teknologi dan Pengurusan Lanjutan

Advanced Management and Technology Centre

PTPL

[17]

Kolej Teknologi Cosmopoint

Cosmopoint Kota Kinabalu

COSMOPOINT [18]

Kolej Multimedia

Multimedia College

MMC

Institut Teknologi Sabah

Sabah Institute of Technology

SIT

[19]

Institut Perguruan Kampus Gaya

Gaya Teachers Training Institute

IPGKG

[20]

Institut Perguruan Kampus Keningau

Keningau Teachers Training Institute

IPGKK

[21]

Institut Perguruan Kampus Tawau

Tawau Teachers Training Institute

IPGKT

[22]

Institut Perguruan Kampus Kent

Kent Teachers Training Institute

[23]

Kolej Masterskill

Masterskill College

MASTERSKILL [24]

Kolej MAHSA [edit]Communication

MAHSA College

MAHSA

Radio Televisyen Malaysia operates 2 statewide free-to-air terrestrial radio channels, Sabah FM and Sabah VFM as well as district specific channels such as Keningau FM. A local television channel is due to be launched called TV Sabah, also under RTM. KK FM is run by Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Bayu FM is only available through Astro satellite feed. Recently KL based AMP Radio Networks andSuria FM set up base to tap the emerging market. Sabahan DJs were hired and the content caters to Sabahan listeners. Sabah's first established newspaper was the Sabah Times. The newspaper was founded by Tun Fuad Stephens, who later became the first Chief Minister of Sabah. Today the main

newspapers are New Sabah Times, Daily Express and Borneo Post. Aside from New Sabah Times, other English daily are independent media thus making Sabah the state with the most freedom of the press in Malaysia.[71]
[edit]Movies

and TV

The earliest known footage of Sabah is from two movies by Martin and Osa Johnson titled Jungle Depths of Borneo and Borneo filmed at Abai, Kinabatangan.[72] Three Came Home was a 1950 Hollywood movie based on the memoir of the same name by Agnes Newton Keith depicting the Second World War in Sandakan. Bat*21 was a 1988 Vietnam War film directed by Peter Markle and shot at various locations in West Sabah such as Menggatal, Telipok, Kayumadang and Lapasan. Sabah's first homegrown film was Orang Kita, starring Abu Bakar Ellah. Sabah-produced TV programs such as dramas or documentaries are usually aired on TV1 while musicals aired through special Sabah slots in Muzik Aktif. Foreign films and TV shows filmed in Sabah include the reality show Survivor: Borneo, The Amazing Race, Eco-Challenge Borneo as well as a number of Hong Kong production films such as Born Rich. Sabah was featured in Sacred Planet, a documentary hosted byRobert Redford.
[edit]Sports

Sabah FA won the FA Cup in 1995 then become the Premier League champion in 1996. Matlan Marjan is a former football player for Malaysia. He scored two goals against England in an international friendly on 12 June 1991. The English team included Stuart Pearce, David Batty, David Platt, Nigel Clough, Gary Lineker, was captained by Bryan Robsonand coached by Bobby Robson.[73] He again made history for Sabah when he was named the captain of the national team in the 1995 match against Brazilian football club, Flamengo XI, in which the team famously held their opponent to a 1-1 draw.[74] In 1995, he along with six other Sabah players, were arrested on suspicion of match-fixing. Although the charges were dropped, he was prevented from playing professional football and was banished to another district.[75][76] He was banished under the Restricted Residence Act.[77] Martin Guntali was a weightlifter who won the Commonwealth Games bronze medal. Lim Keng Liat was a swimmer who won the Asian Games gold medal in 2006. Arrico Jumiti is a weightlifter who won the Asian Games gold medal at Guangzhou in 2010.

[edit]Literature

Australian author Wendy Law Suart lived in Jesselton between 19491953 and wrote The Lingering Eye Recollections of North Borneo about her experiences.[78] American author Agnes Newton Keith lived in Sandakan between 19341952 and wrote four books about Sabah, Land Below the Wind,Three Came Home, White Man Returns and Beloved Exiles. The second book was made into a Hollywood motion picture. In the Earl Mac Rauch novelisation of Buckaroo Banzai (Pocket Books, 1984; repr. 2001), and in the DVD commentary, Buckaroo's archenemy Hanoi Xan is said to have his secret base in Sabah, in a "relic city of caves."
[edit]Ethnic

dances

There are many types of traditional dances in Sabah, most notably:

Daling-daling: Danced by Bajaus and Suluks . In its original form, it was a dance which combined Arabic belly dancing and the Indian dances common in this region, complete with long artificial finger nails and golden head gear accompanied by a Bajau and Suluk song called daling-daling which is a love story. Its main characteristic is the large hip and breast swings but nowadays it is danced with a faster tempo but less swings, called Igal-igal by the Bajau from Semporna District.

Sumazau: Kadazandusun traditional dance which performed during weddings and Kaamatan festival. The dance form is akin to a couple of birds flying together. Magunatip: Famously known as the Bamboo dance, requires highly skilled dancers to perform. Native dance of the Muruts, but can also be found in different forms and names in South East Asia.

Nona Mansaya: Called Dansa among the Cocos Islanders in Sabah, the dance used violin as the primary instrument and the dance derived from the culture of Scottish and Javanese.

[edit]Notable

residents

Statue of Antanom in Tenom.

Mat Salleh was a Bajau leader who led a rebellion against British North Borneo Company administration in North Borneo. Under his leadership, the rebellion which lasted from 1894 to 1900 razed the British Administration Centre on Pulau Gaya and exercised control over Menggatal, Inanam, Ranau and Tambunan. The rebellion was by Bajaus, Dusuns and Muruts.[79] Antanum or Antanom (full name Ontoros Antonom) (18851915) was a famous and influential Murut warrior who led the chiefs and villagers from Keningau, Tenom, Pensiangan and Rundum to start the Rundum uprising against the British North Borneo Company but was killed during fighting with the company army in Sungai Selangit near Pensiangan. Another notable Sabahan is Donald Stephens who helped form the state of Sabah under the UN appointed Cobbold commission. He was an initial opponent of Malaysia but later converted to the support of it.[80] He was also the first Huguan Siou or paramount leader of the Kadazan-dusun andMurut people.

Penny Wong, AustralianMinister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and the current Minister for Finance and Deregulation.

Tun Datu Mustapha was a Bajau-Kagayan-Suluk Muslim political leader in Sabah through the United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) party.[81] He was a vocal supporter of Malaysia but fell out of favour with Malayan leaders despite forming UMNO branches in Sabah and deregistering USNO. Efforts to reregister USNO have not been allowed, unlike UMNO that was allowed to be reregistered under the same name.[82] Former Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan is the current Huguan Siou and the President of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS). Pairin, the longest serving chief minister of the state and one of the first Kadazandusun lawyers, was known for his defiance of the federal government in the 1980s and 1990s in promoting the rights of Sabah and speaking out against the illegal immigration problems. Sabah was at the time one of only two states with opposition governments in power, the other being Kelantan. PBS has since rejoined BN and Datuk Pairin is currently the Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah. The 8th and current Attorney General of Malaysia, Abdul Gani Patail, comes from Sabah. In 2006, Penampang-born Richard Malanjum was appointed Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak and became the first Kadazandusun to hold such a post. Datuk Hj. Railey bin Hj. Jeffery was the first and well-known Cocos political leader. He was the Deputy Information Minister and the JKR Deputy Minister in the 1990s. Penny Wong, born in Kota Kinabalu in 1968, moved to Australia at age 5. She became the first Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and the current Minister for Finance and Deregulation in Australia.[83][84]

Philip Lee Tau Sang (died 1959) was one of the most prominent Sabahan Chinese politicians in the 1950s. Of Hakka descent, he was greatly favoured by the British, whose colonisation Sabah was still under then, and was Member of the Advisory Council of North Borneo (19471950), Legislative Council of North Borneo (19501958) and Executive Council of North Borneo (19501953, 19561957).[85] He has been posthumously honoured with a road named after him in the town of Tanjung Aru, near the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
[edit]Territorial

dispute

Main article: North Borneo dispute

W. C. Cowie, managing director of theNorth Borneo Chartered Company with theSultan of Sulu.

Sabah has seen several territorial disputes with Malaysia's neighbours Indonesia and thePhilippines. In 2002 both Malaysia and Indonesia submitted to arbitration by theInternational Court of Justice on a territorial dispute over the Sipadan and Ligitan islands. There are also several overlapping claims over the Ambalat continental shelf in the Celebes (Sulawesi) Sea. Malaysia's claim over a portion of the Spratly Islands is also based on sharing a continental shelf with Sabah & Sarawak. The Philippines has a territorial claim over much of the eastern part of Sabah, the formerNorth Borneo. It claims that the territory, via the heritage of the Sultanate of Sulu, was onlyleased to the North Borneo Chartered Company in 1878 with the Sultanate's sovereignty never being relinquished. Malaysia however, considers this dispute as a "nonissue," as it believes that the 1878 document was a cession agreement, and that it deems that the residents of Sabah had exercised their right of self-determination when they voted to join the Malaysian federation in 1963.[86][87]
[edit]

Who owns Sabah Island?

Answer:

The owner of Sabah is the Royal Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo Kingdom. It was been rented to the British North Borneo Company ,a private charter company in 1878. When the private charter company has dissolved , the lease was absorbed by the British Government which later transfer to Malaysia in 1963 when they got their independence.

Sabah did not join Malaysia according to Yong Teck Lee in his statement , it was included without the consent of the owner , the Royal Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo Kingdom. Sabah is now being administered by Malaysia since the Royal Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo kingdom is now only a traditional government not political.

In 1939 the High Court of North Borneo has come out of the ruling to implement the proprietary audit and inventory of Sabah property of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo but did not materialized due to the coming of Second World War. After the war comes the turmoils in the hierarchy, Dayang Dayang Hadji Piandao, the sister of Princess Tarhata assume the throne and illegally passed on to her husband Ombra Amilbangsa which was not entitled to the throne, then Abraham Rasul ,the adviser of President Marcos misled the president by electing Mahakutta

Kiram , the son of Sultan Esmail Kiram I as Sultan while Punjungan Kiram , the successor to his brother Esmail Kiram I was in Sabah. This was corrected when Punjungan return to Sulu and installed by President Marcos. Punjungan Kiram is the administrator of Sabah as per 1939 McKaskie ruling, the father of the current Sultan HRH Esmail D. Kiram II

The reigning and legitimate Sultan of Royal Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, (www.sulu.gov.pH) is his Royal highness HRH Sultan Esmail D. Kiram II, he has decided and signed a "Royal Decree' and 'Royal Authority ' to the "Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo Company Limited",a Hongkong registered Company to undertake the total development and management of Sabah property of the Kingdom.

There were claiming sultans of Sulu and North Borneo in the relative lineage, but failed to justify themselves holding the positions of Maharajah Adinda and Rajah Muda, prior to their supposed claim as Sultan.The unbroken hierarchy of Maharajah Adinda ,Rajah Muda and Sultan proper must be undergone by the legitimate and reigning Sultan of Royal Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo Kingdom. None so far among claimant Sultans has gone through the Maharajah Adinda and Rajah Muda prior to their claim except his HRH Sultan Esmail D. Kiram II. ( www.sultanatesulu.org )

The recent stand-off in Malaysia's Sabah, where more than 100 armed men from the Philippines entered a village and refused to leave last month, has brought into focus a territorial dispute that has been dormant for half a century. The men, identifying themselves as the Royal Sulu Sultanate Army, declared to the Malaysian security forces who

surrounded them in Lahad Datu that they were there to reclaim the ancestral land of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, one of several claimants to the defunct Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo. They defied calls by the Philippine President Benigno Aquino to return home and rejected offers by the Malaysian authorities to withdraw from the village, saying that they were prepared to fight if they were forcefully evicted from Sabah, formerly known as North Borneo. After three tense weeks, the stand-off worsened to a violent confrontation between the intruders and security forces, that killed two Malaysian policemen and 12 of the armed men last Friday. This incident will certainly affect the final stages of Malaysia- mediated peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao, southern Philippines. Kept under wraps for the past five decades, the issue of claims to Sabah has now resurfaced with such urgency that it can no longer be conveniently swept under the carpet. The stand-off has raised questions as to why it took place at a sensitive time when both Malaysia and the Philippines are about to hold major elections. One theory that is making the rounds is that the ailing Sultan Jamalul Kiram III was trying to reinforce his claims to the sultanate. There have been several claimants to the throne in recent years, none of whom have gained international recognition as the Sulu Sultanate ended after the death of the last sultan in 1936. Sultan Jamalul Kiram III is apparently upset that he was not included in the negotiations with the MILF last October, and he planned the "reclaim" of Sabah in order to undermine the peace process. Reports from Manila have claimed he was being secretly backed by Nur Misuari, leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which signed a peace deal with Manila in 1996, as he himself was also left out in the negotiations with the MILF, its breakaway group. Several of Misuari's MNLF fighters are among the intruders. Another theory is that the heirs of the sultanate staged the armed publicity stunt that turned ugly to demand a renegotiation of the "rent" of 5,300 ringgit (US$1,700) which they received from Malaysia annually for the Sabah "lease" made during British rule. Over the years, they have written to the Malaysian government requesting a larger sum - as much as US$855 million - but to no avail. Malaysia has never officially acknowledged such payment but analysts say that it is a gesture of goodwill by Kuala Lumpur to the descendants of the sultanate and not a recognition of their claim of sovereignty over Sabah. The incident has raised concern that it could spark a renewed MNLF militancy with support from Tausug immigrants, who are natives of Sulu, in the Malaysian state in solidarity with their Filipino cousins. In the worst-case scenario, some analysts say the MNLF could revive its rebellion against the authorities in Sabah and the Philippines that would have long- term implications on ties between the two countries and the region. As it is, the stand-off has reignited demands in the Philippines to place the Sabah claims on high profile in its relations with Malaysia. Even President Aquino has ordered his legal team to study the claims, generating wider interest on the issue. Kuala Lumpur too felt the heat from its citizens, who demanded stern action against the intruders so as to uphold Malaysian sovereignty in Sabah and from having to answer criticisms of security lapses that had allowed the armed men to enter the state without firing a shot. Amid the stand-off were questions raised as to who really owns Sabah. It is 1,143km from Manila, 1,495km from Singapore, and 1,678km from Kuala Lumpur. By geographical distance, Sabah is nearer to Manila than Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur. Does it mean that Sabah belongs to the Philippines which includes the Sulu archipelago? To understand the issue better, there is a need to look at the state's history. Sabah was a gift from the Sultan of Brunei for the Sulu Sultanate's help in quelling a rebellion in 1685. The dispute has its origin in the signing of an agreement in 1878 between the Sulu Sultanate and a British company which "leased" the territory for a sum to be paid in perpetuity.

In 1885, Spain renounced all claims of sovereignty over the whole of Borneo, in exchange for British recognition of Spanish sovereignty over the entire Sulu archipelago. That placed Sabah under the British sphere of influence. Over the years, the British colonial government succeeded the company, with Sabah becoming a Crown Colony in 1946 and later joining Malaya, Singapore and Sarawak in the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. The Philippine government came into the picture in September 1962 when an heir of the sultanate, Esmail Kiram, surrendered authority and sovereignty over Sabah to President Diosdado Macapagal's government. However, Manila has been hesitant in its approach to Sabah. At one stage, it secretly backed Moro militants to reclaim the territory. But at other times, it left the issue dormant in favour of better ties with Malaysia. At the centre of the dispute is the 1878 agreement between the sultanate and the British company. Was Sabah leased or ceded to the British? Over the past five decades, the heirs of the Sulu Sultanate have been making unilateral claims to Sabah, including filing a petition at the United Nations for the return of the territory, arguing that the territory was only rented out. The recent intrusion into Sabah is the latest attempt to retake the land by the claimants. The issue of the Sabah claim can no longer be placed on the back burner. Both Malaysia and the Philippines have to decide on a long-term solution. Seeking international arbitration through the International Court of Justice in The Hague may be one option. But this would require the consent of both sides to seek such recourse. This does not seem likely as both countries do not appear keen to take that path because of the risks involved should either party lose its claims. Both countries must look for common ground to meet each other halfway and consider available options, including cash settlements, to solve the age-old issue. As long as it is not settled, the issue will resurface because of the manoeuvrings of the sultanate's many descendants still struggling to reclaim the land of their ancestors.

Another researched and exclusive article by the people of the www.epilipinas.com

PHILIPPINES' CLAIM
TO SABAH
A majority of Filipinos everywhere are wondering what is this Sabah claim is all about. The Philippine history books, Malaysian's probably too, have not mentioned about the Philippines' stake on the northern part of the island of Borneo. On the other hand, the Malaysians maybe furious that there are a lot of attention now being focused to that part of the Malaysian federation to which they believe was theirs since the British handed the territory in 1963. What we are trying here is to bring an insight to this dispute based on our researched of the various facts (or allegations) regarding this subject.

As Filipino Americans, our main concern in bringing about this article is to tell that part of the history of the Philippines. WHERE IS SABAH? Sabah,is the northern part of Borneo. It is bordered by Sarawak on its southwestern side, and Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) to the south. Sabah has a coastline of approximately 800 to 900 miles and with the South China Sea in the west and north, the Sulu Sea in the northeast and the Celebes Sea in the east. Sabah's total land area is 76,115 sq km (29,388 sq miles). Sabah's population is about 2.5 million. It is 1,961 km from Hong Kong, 1,143 km from Manila, 1,495 km from Singapore, 1,678 km from Kuala Lumpur and 2,291 km from Taipei - note that it is nearer to Manila than Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur. North Borneo is much undeveloped and very rich in natural resources. One of the wealthiest oil producing countries is located in same island of Borneo, the tiny Sultanate of Brunei. Learn more about Sabah through the links below. THE LEASE STARTED IT ALL The Sultanate of Sulu was granted the territory as a prize for helping the Sultan of Brunei against his enemies and from then on that part of Borneo is recognized as part of the Sultan of Sulu's sovereignty. In 1878, Baron Von Overbeck, an Austrian partner representing The British North Borneo Co. and his partner British Alfred Dent, leased the territory known as "Sabah" - roughly translated as "the land beneath the winds". In return the company will provide arms to the Sultan to resist the spaniards and 5,000 Malaysian ringgits annual rental based on the Mexican dollars value at that time or its equivalent in gold. This lease have been continued until the independence and formation of the Malaysian federation in 1963 together with Singapore, Sarawak and Malaysia. Up to these days, the Malaysians have been continuing the rental payment of 5,300 Malaysian ringgits - a 300 ringgits increased from original rent. In 1962 during the Pres. Diosdado Macapagal's administration (the father of the present president, Glorio Arroyo), the Philippines formally claimed Sabah based on the Sultanate of Sulu heirs' claim on the territory. The Philippines broke diplomatic relations with Malaysia after the federation have included "Sabah". The sultan's heirs have given the Philippine government the authority to pursue the claim legally in international courts. However, the succeeding administrations have either have ignored or set aside the claim for peaceful co-existent and trade relation with the Malaysians. One significant incident involving then President Marcos have briefly brought into limelight the Sabah claim once more. In 1972, the Marcos government have been training secretly a group of Muslim Filipinos in Corregidor, an island off Manila Bay, for possible intrusion in Sabah to pave the way to an armed secession of Sabah from Malaysia. But upon knowing of the plans, the recruits

have mutinied and were eliminated except for one that swam the bay and was rescued. The newspapers have called this incident, the "Jabidah Massacre" named after the operation that was given by the military. The survivor divulged the plan and the claim was put in back burner once more. It was believe that because of the incident, the Malaysians have been aiding the Muslim separatists against the Philippine government. Some people says this distracted the attention to the claim on Sabah as the government was embroiled in containing the conflict. LEGAL CLAIM BASIS The claim was based on several historical facts and court judgement. The lease agreement is definitely a proof otherwise there will be no basis for any agreement if such ownership was not established at all. The contract was between Sri Paduka Maulana Al Sultan Mohammad Jamalul Alam - representing the sultanate as owner and sovereign of Sabah on one hand, and that of Gustavus Baron de Overbeck and Alfred Dent, representing the British East India Co. (then became the North Borneo Co.), on the other as lessee of Sabah, was executed on June 22, 1878. Though the British turned over the possession and government of Sabah to the federation, the Malaysians have not remissed in paying the annual rental. The 1939 court judgement on the claim had handed ownership of North Borneo to the heirs of the Sultanate prior to the formation of Malaysian federation in 1963. The judgment of Chief Justice C.F.C. Makaskie of the High Court of North Borneo in the civil suit filed by the late Dayang Dayang Hadji Piandao and eight other heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, including the famous Putlih (Princess) Tarhata Kiram, upheld the validity of the claim of the heirs. Being a British colony did they favored the Malaysians than returning the leased territory to its rightful owners as per 1939 court judgement? Did the British influenced the outcome of their sponsored 1962 plebiscite to which won by those who wanted to join the Malaysian federation than be an independent state. One also has to speculate as to why did the British respected a similar treaty with China by returning Hong Kong instead of conducting a plebiscite just like the one conducted in Sabah in 1962, is

the Philippines a weak nation that can be ignored? These are some questions that need to be addressed by those who have the mandate to pursue the Philippine claim. The Malaysian argument before the International Court (The Hague) is in the link below. This is based on the islands disputed between Indonesia and Malaysia wherein the Philippines is trying to intervene. SO WHY THE REVIVAL OF THE CLAIM NOW? In the last few months the Malaysian authorities have been deporting, we are not sure if this is the right term for this action knowing the existence of legal claim to North Borneo, thousands of Filipinos from Sabah for being illegals and for lack of necessary documents. There are allegations of inhuman treatments and rapes by Malaysian authorities which are currently being investigated by both governments. It is also good to point out that illegal Indonesians are likewise being sent home through Kalimantan (Borneo part of Indonesia). Both the Philippine and the Indonesian governments have protested the mass deportation and have indignation rallies against the Malaysian action. Since the time memorial the numerous ethnic tribes in the southern Philippines notably the Tausugs and Badjaos have been traversing the Celebes Sea from Sulu to Borneo and other parts of Indonesia. These tribes are sea faring people and settled from anywhere around the region. To curtail these movements, the Malaysians have decided to demand document from the Filipinos in Sabah. Undocumented Filipinos were deported and could only be admitted back when there are necessary papers presented. This situation is extremely hard specially to those who have fled the secessionist war during the seventies and eighties as they are refugees and do not have any travel documents. These Muslim Filipinos have considered Sabah as part of their domain as their ancestors have been doing centuries ago. That part of southeast asia is bound by common religion, history and people. NOW WHAT? As per official Philippine government stand, the Philippines will continue legal action through the international courts and also by bringing this claim again to the attention

of the Malaysian government. One of the immediate objectives is to have the rent increased to what is a more realistic amount while a claim is still being disputed. There are apprehensions, as some quarters are claiming, that nothing will come out of this revived interest in the Sabah claim, they are saying that the Philippine government officials as in the past can be bribed to lose interest in the claim - there is no concrete evidence to this effect. The Malaysians are hoping that it will die a natural death for lack of will on the Philippine claimants to pursue further the claim over the years. The longer the dispute is settled, the harder (or maybe lesser) for the claimants to get any settlement. Will the heirs get a just settlement in form of monetary compensation? The heirs had been offered money before by the Malaysians and have rejected the idea. Will the settlement comes with some portion of the disputed land for displaced Filipino muslims in Sabah? In any issue involving property dispute, possession is everything. Will the Arroyo administration be transparent in negotiations with the Mahathir government or some kind of a deal will be struck without consultations with the other parties involved? We will see what will transpire in the future. Related Sites: Giving back Sabah to the Sulu sultanate By Noralyn Mustafa The Sultan of Sulu's Lost Land by Manfred Rist Malaysia's Stand On Disputed Islands Ummahnews-an independent and non-partisan global media service Sabah Tourism Site Facts On Sabah

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Ninoy vowed to drop Sabah claim to get KL support vs Marcos

By Janvic Mateo (The Philippine Star) | Updated March 13, 2013 - 12:00am
279 11.3K googleplus16 32

MANILA, Philippines - Former senator Benigno Ninoy Aquino Jr. had promised Malaysia in 1983 that the Philippines would drop its claim over Sabah in exchange for its support in the move to oust strongman Ferdinand Marcos, a former foreign affairs official revealed yesterday. Hermes Dorado, former national territory division head of the Department of Foreign Affairs, said Aquino met with then Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammad Mahathir before he went back to the Philippines and was assassinated on Aug. 21, 1983. Dorado said there were no official records of the supposed meeting between Aquino and Mahathir, but said he became privy to this bit of intelligence from former ambassador and retired general Rafael Ileto. General Ileto indirectly confirmed that Ninoy Aquino asked for help from Mahathir in exchange for dropping the Sabah claim when he gains power, Dorado told a forum at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City. Dorado said Ileto was the person assigned to monitor Aquinos movement on his journey back to Manila.

There was a commitment to help oust Marcos, he added. That is the reason why the government today is somehow reluctant to support the Sabah claim.

Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Our hands are tied today because the leadership up to this day is committed to drop the Philippine claim of Sabah, he said. According to Dorado, the clearest proof of Ninoys supposed pledge to Malaysia will be found in the 1987 Constitution, which was written during the presidency of his widow Corazon Aquino. Dorado said the 1987 Constitution amended the first article of the 1973 Constitution and removed the phrase, and all other territories belonging to the Philippines by historic right or legal title. The 1987 Constitution revised the definition of Philippine territory and deleted Sabah as a histo ric claim backed up by the legal title pertaining to the sultanate of Sulu, he added. Dorado said Mrs. Aquino had no choice but to honor Ninoys commitment to Mahathir because she needed support from ASEAN nations to legitimize her ascendancy to the presidency through the people power revolution. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir adamantly refused to attend the ASEAN Summit in Manila until President Cory made a firm commitment to amend Article 1 of the 1973 Constitution, Dorado pointed out. Malaysian hard-ball diplomatic and guerrilla war maneuverings, backed by shrewd use of economic leverage, sourced from huge revenues from oil extracted in Sabah, were completed by 1987, he added. They succeeded in forcing the Constitutional Commission to drop the Philippine Sabah claim, hands down. Dorado said the amended Baselines Law approved in March 2009 resulted in the exclusion of Sabah from the Philippine territory. He said the amended law removed Section 2 of the 1968 law that included the phrase, the territory of Sabah, situated in North Borneo, over which the Republic of the Philippines has acquired dominion and sovereignty. Removal of the specific reference to Sabah represented a disastrous outcome to the claims of the sultanate of Sulu, Dorado said. He claimed the results of the supposed Ninoy-Mahathir pact have destroyed all peaceful possibilities of pursuing the countrys claims.

Proprietary rights Reacting to Dorados presentation, Princess Jacel Kiram daughter of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III maintained that Filipinos have proprietary rights in Sabah. We have so much wealth in Sabah na dapat tayo ang nakikinabang (we should be the ones benefitting), Jacel said. She said the lease agreement over North Borneo expired in 1978. She accused the Aquino administration of protecting the interests of the Malaysian prime minister rather than the interest of the Filipino people. I would prefer to be another (nationality) rather than a Filipino citizen under our current set of leaders, she said. During the forum, Jacel confirmed the meeting between her uncle Sultan Bantilan Esmail Kiram II and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II. This is the first official talk from our side and from the side of the government, she said, declining to provide additional information as she was not privy to what was discussed in the meeting. Jacel said the development was a good gesture on the part of the government, and that its intention was for the benefit of the Filipino people. Citing latest information from Sabah, Jacel said Agbimuddin Kiram and his people are safe but a lot of Filipinos have become victims of excessive force by Malaysian security forces. With Paolo Romero, Jaime Laude, Marvin Sy