This article is about the federal territory and the homonymous island in Malaysia. For other uses, seeLabuan (disambiguation). For the federal constituency represented in the Dewan Rakyat, seeLabuan (federal constituency).
Labuan (/ləˈbuːən/), officially theFederal Territory of Labuan (Malay:Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan), is an islandfederal territory of Malaysia. It includesLabuan Island and six smaller islands off the coast of the state ofSabah in East Malaysia. Labuan's capital isVictoria, which is best known as anoffshore financial centre offering international financial and business services viaLabuan IBFC since 1990, as well as being an offshore support hub for deepwater oil and gas activities in the region. It is also a tourist destination for people travelling through Sabah, nearbyBruneians, andscuba divers. The name Labuan derives from theMalay wordlabuhan, which means "harbour".[5]
For three centuries from the 15th century, the north and west coast ofBorneo including the island of Labuan was part of theSultanate of Brunei.[6][7] In 1775, Labuan was temporarily occupied by theBritish East India Company after the failure of the company's station atBalambangan Island. The Sultan of Brunei,Omar Ali Saifuddin I tried to secure the British East India Company's support against theSulu raiders by offering Labuan as an alternative to Balambangan but, instead the company made a second but failed attempt to set up a station on Balambangan. The Sultan's subsequent reoffering of Labuan to the company did not result in the establishment of a permanent British settlement on the island either.[15]
British policy changed in the 19th century, when Labuan started to attract British interest again.Captain Rodney Mundy acquired the island for Britain through theTreaty of Labuan with the Sultan of Brunei,Omar Ali Saifuddin II on 18 December 1846.[16] Mundy tookPengiran Mumin to witness the island's accession to theBritish Crown on 24 December 1846.[17] Some sources state that during the signing of the treaty, the Sultan had been threatened by aBritish navy warship ready to fire on the Sultan's palace if he refused to sign the treaty while another source says the island was ceded to Britain as a reward for assistance in combating pirates.[8][18][19]
The main reason why theBritish acquired the island was to establish a naval station to protect their commercial interest in the region and to suppress piracy in theSouth China Sea.[6][20][21] The British also believed the island could be the nextSingapore.[22] Following theAnglo-Brunei Treaty of Friendship in 1847, which distilled the aforementioned events into a single document - Labuan was ceded to the British in perpetuity.[23] The island became aCrown Colony in 1848 withJames Brooke appointed as the first governor andcommander-in-chief, withWilliam Napier as his lieutenant-governor.[6][9][10][16] In 1849, theEastern Archipelago Company became the first of several British companies to try to exploit Labuan coal deposits.[24] The company was formed to exploit coal deposits on the island and adjacent coast of Borneo but soon became involved in a dispute withJames Brooke.[6][25][26] Not proving itself a great commercial or strategic asset, administration of Labuan was handed to theBritish North Borneo Company in 1890.[27][28] The North Borneo Company did not prove that effective a manager either, and in 1904Malcolm Stewart Hannibal McArthur even proposed handing the island back to Brunei.[29] In 1894, asubmarine communications cable was built by the British to link the island's communications withNorth Borneo, Singapore andHong Kong for the first time.[30] By 30 October 1906, the British Government proposed to extend the boundaries of theStraits Settlements to include Labuan. The proposal took effect from 1 January 1907.[11][12]
Japanese Navy anchoring at the coast of Labuan on 14 January 1942
InWorld War II, Labuan wasoccupied byJapan from 3 January 1942 until June 1945 and garrisoned by units of theJapanese 37th Army, which controlled Northern Borneo.[34] The island served as the administrative centre for the Japanese forces.[35] During the occupation, the Japanese Government changed the island name toMaida Island (前田島 [Maeda-shima]) on 9 December 1942 afterMarquisToshinari Maeda, as a remembrance to the first Japanese commander in northern Borneo. Maeda was killed in anair crash atBintulu, Sarawak when en route to the island to open the airfield there.[6][35] As the Allied counter-attack came closer, the Japanese also developed Labuan andBrunei Bay as a naval base.[17]
The liberation of Borneo by theAllied forces began on 10 June 1945 when the Australian Army under the command ofAustralian Major General George Wootten launched an attack under the codename ofOperation Oboe Six. Labuan became the main objective for the Allied forces to repossess.[36] Soon, the9th Division of the Australian Army launched the attack with support from airstrikes and sea bombardments until the capture of the Labuan airstrip.[37][38] Most of the Labuan island area including the main town ofVictoria was under the control of Allied forces within four days of thelanding on 10 June.[36] On 9 September 1945, the Japanese Lieutenant GeneralMasao Baba officially surrendered at a place now known as Surrender Point near the Layang-layang beach which he had been brought to the 9th Division headquarters on the island to sign the surrender document in front of the Australian 9th Division Army CommanderGeorge Wootten.[39]
The name of Labuan was later restored by the British and the island was administered under theBritish Military Administration together with the rest of the Straits Settlements. Labuan then on 15 July 1946 joined theNorth Borneo Crown Colony, which in turn became the state of Sabah andMalaysia in 1963.[6][13] In 1984, the Government of Sabah ceded Labuan to thefederal government and later was admitted as afederal territory. This was done so that it could become an offshore financial centre.[14] It was declared an international offshore financial centre andfree trade zone in 1990.[40]
A map of Labuan island including its outlying islands
Labuan's area comprises the main island (Labuan Island – 91.64 square kilometres or 35.38 square miles) and six other smaller islands, Burung,Daat,Kuraman, Big Rusukan, Small Rusukan and Papan island with a total area of 91.64 square kilometres (35.38square miles). The islands lie 8 kilometres (5.0 miles) off the coast of Borneo, adjacent to theMalaysian state ofSabah and to the north ofBrunei Darussalam, on the northern edge ofBrunei Bay facing the South China Sea. Labuan Island is mainly flat and undulating; its highest point isBukit Kubong at 148 metres (486 feet)above sea level. Over 70% of the island is still covered with vegetation. The main town area of Victoria is located in a position facing Brunei Bay.
Labuan has a tropical rainforest climate with no dry season. Over the course of a year, the temperature typically varies from 25 to 32 °C (77 to 90 °F) and is rarely below 24 °C (75 °F) or above 33 °C (91 °F). The warm season lasts from 1 April to 13 June with an average daily high temperature above 31 °C (88 °F). The hottest day of the year is 29 April, with an average high of 32 °C (90 °F) and low of 26 °C (79 °F). The cold season lasts from 7 January to 17 February with an average daily high temperature below 30 °C (86 °F). The coldest day of the year is 8 September, with an average low of 25 °C (77 °F) and high of 31 °C (88 °F).[41] The weather station for Labuan is located atLabuan Airport.
Thunderstorms are the most severe precipitation observed in Labuan during 60% of those days with precipitation. They are most likely around October, when they occur very frequently. Meanwhile, the relative humidity for Labuan typically ranges from 63% (mildly humid) to 96% (very humid) over the course of the year, rarely dropping below 53% and reaching as high as 100% (extremely humid).[41]
Climate data for Labuan (Labuan Airport) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1930–present)
Labuan is one of the Malaysian federal government territories. The island is administered by the federal government through the Department of Federal Territories, a department under thePrime Minister's Department (Malaysia).Labuan Corporation is the municipal government for the island and is headed by a chairman who is responsible for the development and administration of the island. Labuan has one representative in each of the Lower and Upper Houses ofParliament. Typically, the current member of the parliament of Labuan will be appointed to become chairman of Labuan Corporation.
The island is represented in the lower house of parliament by MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman of PN and in the upper house by Senator Anifah Aman of Parti Cinta Sabah, making him the first non-Labuan resident senator.Below is the list of administrators of Labuan Corporation from 2001 to the current date:
The Federal Territory is administratively subdivided into the capitalBandar Victoria and 27kampung (administrative villages),[45][46] and which are ruled by appointedKetua Kampung (headmen):
Security is the responsibility of the federal government, with naval patrol vessels, a garrison, and an air detachment based on the island. The vigilance of the local Coast Guard and Customs and Excise contribute to the maintenance of Labuan's reputation and status as an international offshore financial centre and free trade zone.
According to Malaysia's Department of Statistics, Labuan's population was 86,908 at the 2010 Census and 95,120 at the 2020 Census.[48] The ethnic composition in 2020 in Labuan was:Malay people includingKedayan andBruneian Malay (34,068),Kadazan-Dusun including/excludingRungus (9,408),Bajau (6,866),Murut (1265),Chinese (9,843),Indians (891),Lundayeh and other ethnic groups (21,947), and non-Malaysian citizens (10,832). The majority of Chinese people in Labuan are from theHokkien dialect group (but has been since decreasing due to migration to thePeninsula as well as overseas); however, there are also manyHakkas, most of whom are migrants or descendants of migrants from mainland Sabah as well as local-born Hakkas, whom are settled for more than 2 to 3 generations in the island dating as long as thecolonial period, in which they came as stopover migrants or traders before embarking to the mainland (even when it was still an only island offshore municipality withinSabah state jurisdiction from 1963 to 1984) as well as a negligible minority ofFuzhounese from neighbouring Sarawak, mostly working as government staff and those posted in the petroleum and gas offshore industries and to a lesser extent a large minority ofDayaks also from Sarawak who are resident here and their local-born descendants whom are mostly ethnicallyIban with pockets ofBidayuh andOrang Ulu residents.
As of 2010[update] Census the population of Labuan is 76.0%Muslim, 12.4% Christian, 9.0%Buddhist, 0.4%Hindu, 2.1% follower of other religions, and 0.1% non-religious.
The economy of Labuan thrives on its vast oil and gas resources and international investment and banking services. Labuan is very much an import-export oriented economy. Virtually all of its commodities includingcrude oil,methanol, HBI,[clarification needed]gas, flour, animal feed, sea products, and ceramic tiles are exported either to Peninsular Malaysia or overseas. Raw materials, parts, and equipments for industrial uses well as consumer products are imported. In 2004, the total value of Labuan's external trade reached MYR11.8 billion from only MYR5.0 billion in 1995 for a net trade surplus of MYR5.1 billion. Among its major trade partners are India, Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and South Korea. 65% of its exports are petroleum and gas-based products.[50]
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Labuan is estimated at MYR3.63 billion in 2012 with a growth rate of 5.8 per cent. Labuan GDP per capita in 2012 is MYR39,682. The total employment for Labuan is around 39,800 in 2012. The main economic sectors in Labuan is service and manufacturing which contributed 94.6 per cent to the island GDP. The service sector consisted mainly of Finance and Insurance and Real Estate and Business Services. Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector consists mainly of oil and gas industry and support.[51]
Labuan Financial Park complex, also known as Ujana Kewangan (UK) by many Labuanese.
The Labuan International Business and Financial CentreLabuan IBFC was created as Malaysia's only offshore financial hub in October 1990 and was operating under the name of Labuan International Offshore Financial Centre (IOFC). At the time it was established to strengthen the contribution of financial services to theGross National Product (GNP) of Malaysia as well as to develop the island and its surrounding vicinity. The jurisdiction, supervised by the Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority or LOFSA, offers benefits such as 3% tax[52] on net audited results or a flat rate of Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) 20,000 to trading companies; low operational costs; liberal exchange controls; and a host of other advantages including readily available, experienced and professional service providers. In 2010 the notion "offshore" was excluded from all the statutes of Labuan due to world pressure on the tax havens and offshores.
Since its inception, the jurisdiction has expanded to become a base for more than 4,800offshore companies and 68 licensed banks. The IBFC also has over 370 registered foundations, 100 partnerships, and over 63 licensed trusts.[53] Labuan IBFC is embarking on an aggressive growth strategy to become the premier international business and financial centre in the Asia Pacific region.
Labuan's business focus is on five core areas: offshore holding companies, captive insurance, Shariah-compliant Islamic Finance structures, public and private funds, and wealth management. Labuan IBFC's position is further enhanced by the launch of the Malaysian International Islamic Finance Centre initiative in August 2006.
Unlike other federal territory, Labuan is underdeveloped. The island's urban landscape is characterised by a mix of older buildings and limited modern architectural advancements. Key infrastructure projects, such as road networks and public transportation systems, are less advanced nor extensive, resulting in significant traffic issues during peak hours, particularly in the early morning and evening commutes.
One of the most anticipated infrastructure projects is the proposed bridge connecting Labuan to Menumbok in mainland Sabah. LikePenang Bridge. Labuan-Menumbok bridge aims to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth by providing a direct link between the island and the mainland. The project is expected to reduce travel time, improve the movement of goods and people, and boost tourism in the region, reflecting their commitment to regional development and integration.
The proposal was first introduced in the 1990s. However, it has faced numerous delays due to fact that the feasibility studies for the project were outdated and needed to be updated for the project to proceed smoothly.
Labuan Ferry: One of the main routes is via water ferry services to Sabah and Sarawak. This ferry service is a vital link for passengers and vehicles, providing a convenient and scenic route across the island's strait.
In May 2024,Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the need to update existing technical studies to reflect the current situation, such as upgrading works at the terminal, which costed RM22 Million. The funding is intended to enhance the facilities, infrastructure, jetty, and ferry ramp at the terminal. The Prime Minister said the estimated one-hour embarkation time could be reduced by addressing delays caused by immigration checks. He emphasised that efficient services from local enforcement agencies were crucial in resolving congestion issues at the terminal, rather than relying solely on new infrastructure.[54]
Ferry services betweenKota Kinabalu, Sabah, and Labuan were suspended after theCOVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. Initially scheduled to resume on 15 December 2024 from Labuan toJesselton Point, further delays occurred due to a lack of readiness as Jesselton Point.[55] The ferry service eventually resumed on 28 May, although connecting toKota Kinabalu Port instead of Jesselton Point.[56]
Labuan Airport facilitates air travel to the major destinations. The airport hosts several airlines:
Malaysia Airlines: Provides regular flights to Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, offering connectivity to both domestic and international destinations.
AirAsia: Another major airline operating from Labuan Airport, AirAsia also offers flights to Kuala Lumpur, catering to budget-conscious travellers.
MASwings: A regional airline, MASwings, operates flights to Miri in Sarawak as well as Kota Kinabalu in the neighbouring state of Sabah, enhancing connectivity within East Malaysia.
These transportation options ensure that W.P. Labuan remains accessible and well-connected, supporting both the local population and visitors to the island.
There are several attractions and places of interest in Labuan. TheLabuan War Cemetery contains various war graves and memorials to the fallen of World War II. This includes British, Australian, Indian, Sarawakian, Bruneian, North Bornean, and Empire troops, with a total of 3,908 graves of fallen soldiers. A memorial service is held on Remembrance Day once every four years. The territory also has a memorial celebrating the surrender of the Japanese to the Australian Forces in 1945. Remnants of Labuan's history as aRoyal Navycoaling station includethe chimney, a well known local landmark. Labuan also contains aLabuan Maritime Museum.
Labuan is also the base for diving on four popular wreck dives: the Cement wreck, the American wreck (the firstUSSSalute), the Australian wreck and the Blue Water wreck.[57]
Labuan has many schools. However, it has only one international school, Labuan International School.[58] Other places of interest include the Labuan International Sea Sport Complex. Newly proposed is the Marina Centre and Labuan Square project which were completed in 2010.
Labuan's own institution of higher education is Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus,[59] a branch of Universiti Malaysia Sabah in Sepanggar Bay,Kota Kinabalu. Labuan also hasKolej Matrikulasi Labuan, the only matriculation college in East Malaysia. All pre-university students fromSabah,Sarawak, and Labuan take their courses at this institution.
1885 2c stampStamp of North Borneo overprinted "Labuan", 1897
A post office was operating in Labuan by 1864, and used a circular date stamp aspostmark. The postage stamps ofIndia and Hong Kong were used on some mail, but they were probably carried there by individuals, instead of being on sale in Labuan. Mail was routed through Singapore. From 1867, Labuan officially used the postage stamps of the Straits Settlements but began issuing its own in May 1879.
Although initially the design for the first stamp issue was proposed to be depicting a clump ofsago palms, for economic reasons, the queen heads design was finally adopted, having been used initially for postage stamps ofGrenada.[60][61] The first stamps of Labuan therefore depict the usual profile ofQueen Victoria but are unusual for being inscribed in Malay-Arabic (Jawi) and Chinese scripts in addition to "LABUAN POSTAGE". Perennial shortages necessitated a variety ofsurcharges in between the several reprints and colour changes of the 1880s. The original stamps were engraved, but the last of the design, in April 1894, were done bylithography.
Beginning in May 1894, the stamps of North Borneo were overprinted "LABUAN". On 24 September 1896, the 50th anniversary of the cession was marked by overprinting "1846 / JUBILEE / 1896" on North Borneo stamps. Additional overprints appeared through the 1890s. In 1899 many types were surcharged with a value of 4 cents.
The last Labuan-only design came out in 1902, depicting a crown and inscribed "LABUAN COLONY". After incorporation into the Straits Settlements in 1906, Labuan ceased issuing its own stamps, although they remained valid for some time. Many of the remainder werecancelled-to-order for sale to collectors and are now worth only pennies; genuine franked/post used stamps are worth much more.
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