Sabah, located on the beautiful island of Borneo, is one of Malaysia’s thirteen states. Sabah is Malaysia’s second largest state, sharing the island of Borneo with Sarawak, Brunei, and Indonesian Kalimantan.
Sabah is endowed with natural diversity, distinct cultures, exciting adventure, and beautiful beaches. We have it all, from the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia, to one of South East Asia’s highest mountains, Mount Kinabalu, and one of the world’s top dive sites, Sipadan Island. Sabah is also known for its natural wonders, such as the world-renowned Danum Valley Conservation Area and Tabin, Sabah’s largest wildlife reserve.
Not only will you be amazed by the places to see and things to do here, you will also be treated with unique Sabahan hospitality. Explore the unique culture and tradition of Sabah and get ready to experience sweet memories to last a lifetime!
Borneo is the world’s third largest island and is located in the heart of Maritime Southeast Asia. This island is shared by three countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Nonetheless, “Kalimantan” refers to the area occupied by Indonesia on the island of Borneo by people living outside of Indonesia. East Malaysia or Malaysian Borneo is the name given to Malaysia’s Borneo region. Brunei, the island’s most prosperous independent nation, occupies the remainder of the island.
Sabah, formerly known as North Borneo, was a British colony from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. On August 31, 1963, Sabah gained self-government. On September 16, Sabah, Malaya, Singapore, and Sarawak formed the Federation of Malaysia.
In Sabah, there are over 30 indigenous groups, with the Chinese being the largest non-indigenous ethnic group and the Kadazan-Dusun being the largest indigenous group. The Bajau, Murut, and Rungus are three other major ethnic groups in Sabah. Apart from the Sabahans’ own diverse mother tongues, Bahasa Malaysia (national language) and English are widely spoken, as are Mandarin and some Chinese dialects.
With a smile, we greet people in Sabah by saying “selamat datang” (welcome) and/or “terima kasih” (thank you). Some people may prefer not to have physical contact with others for religious reasons. A handshake, on the other hand, is commonly used to introduce oneself.
It is customary to remove one’s shoes before entering a mosque or a home. Visitors to places of worship are required to dress modestly. Sunbathing naked is not permitted and is strongly discouraged.