Labuan
Labuan | |
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Hanyu Pinyin) | |
• Tamil | லபுவான் கூட்டாட்சிப் பகுதி Lapuvāṉ kūṭṭāṭcip pakuti (Transliteration) |
, and Labuan Ferry Terminal | |
L SL (before becoming FT) | |
Website | pl |
Labuan (
History
United Kingdom 1846–1848[8][6]
Labuan Crown 1848–1941[6][9][10]
•British North Borneo1890–1904
• United Kingdom 1904–1906
• Straits Settlements 1907–1941[11][12]
Empire of Japan 1942–1945
British North Borneo Crown 1946–1963[13]
Malaysia 1963–present[14]
For three centuries from the 15th century, the north and west coast of
British policy changed in the 19th century, when Labuan started to attract British interest again. Captain Rodney Mundy acquired the island for Britain through the Treaty of Labuan with the Sultan of Brunei, Omar Ali Saifuddin II on 18 December 1846.[16] Mundy took Pengiran Mumin to witness the island's accession to the British Crown on 24 December 1846.[17] Some sources state that during the signing of the treaty, the Sultan had been threatened by a British 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 the
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Marines stationed outside the Sultan's palace during the signing of the 1846 Treaty of Labuan[32]
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Signing of the Treaty of Labuan 18 Dec 1846[33]
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Flag raising Labuan 24 Dec 1846[6]
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An 1888 British Map of Labuan
In World War II, Labuan was occupied by Japan from 3 January 1942 until June 1945 and garrisoned by units of the Japanese 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 to Maida Island (前田島 [Maeda-shima]) on 9 December 1942 after Marquis Toshinari Maeda, as a remembrance to the first Japanese commander in northern Borneo. Maeda was killed in an air crash at Bintulu, 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 and Brunei Bay as a naval base.[17]
The liberation of Borneo by the Allied forces began on 10 June 1945 when the Australian Army under the command of Australian Major General George Wootten launched an attack under the codename of Operation Oboe Six. Labuan became the main objective for the Allied forces to repossess.[36] Soon, the 9th 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 of Victoria was under the control of Allied forces within four days of the landing on 10 June.[36] On 9 September 1945, the Japanese Lieutenant General Masao 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 Commander George Wootten.[39]
The name of Labuan was later restored by the British and the island was administered under the
Geography
Labuan's area comprises the main island (Labuan Island – 91.64 square kilometres or 35.38 square miles) and six other smaller islands, Burung,
Islands
- Labuan Island
- Daat Island
- Papan Island
- Burung Island
- Kuraman Island
- Big Rusukan Island (Pulau Rusukan Besar)
- Small Rusukan Island (Pulau Rusukan Kecil)
Climate
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 at Labuan 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) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 34.0 (93.2) |
35.3 (95.5) |
36.4 (97.5) |
36.6 (97.9) |
35.7 (96.3) |
34.9 (94.8) |
34.4 (93.9) |
35.0 (95.0) |
34.2 (93.6) |
34.3 (93.7) |
34.7 (94.5) |
34.4 (93.9) |
36.6 (97.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 30.4 (86.7) |
30.6 (87.1) |
31.6 (88.9) |
32.1 (89.8) |
32.1 (89.8) |
31.7 (89.1) |
31.5 (88.7) |
31.6 (88.9) |
31.4 (88.5) |
31.0 (87.8) |
31.1 (88.0) |
30.8 (87.4) |
31.3 (88.3) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 27.3 (81.1) |
27.2 (81.0) |
27.7 (81.9) |
28.3 (82.9) |
28.4 (83.1) |
28.1 (82.6) |
27.9 (82.2) |
28.0 (82.4) |
27.8 (82.0) |
27.5 (81.5) |
27.6 (81.7) |
27.5 (81.5) |
27.8 (82.0) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 24.9 (76.8) |
24.9 (76.8) |
25.1 (77.2) |
25.4 (77.7) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.2 (77.4) |
25.0 (77.0) |
25.1 (77.2) |
24.9 (76.8) |
24.7 (76.5) |
24.8 (76.6) |
24.9 (76.8) |
25 (77) |
Record low °C (°F) | 21.3 (70.3) |
21.1 (70.0) |
20.8 (69.4) |
21.7 (71.1) |
20.4 (68.7) |
20.0 (68.0) |
19.3 (66.7) |
21.2 (70.2) |
21.0 (69.8) |
21.5 (70.7) |
21.9 (71.4) |
21.8 (71.2) |
19.3 (66.7) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 222.8 (8.77) |
105.2 (4.14) |
124.4 (4.90) |
216.5 (8.52) |
267.0 (10.51) |
312.1 (12.29) |
299.3 (11.78) |
311.1 (12.25) |
332.9 (13.11) |
427.5 (16.83) |
364.8 (14.36) |
336.4 (13.24) |
3,320 (130.7) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 11.0 | 7.1 | 9.0 | 12.4 | 14.4 | 14.5 | 14.0 | 13.3 | 15.4 | 18.4 | 17.4 | 15.3 | 162.2 |
Average relative humidity (%) (at 14:00)
|
73 | 74 | 71 | 70 | 71 | 69 | 69 | 70 | 70 | 72 | 73 | 73 | 71 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 202.6 | 199.8 | 248.2 | 250.3 | 243.1 | 214.9 | 220.5 | 222.3 | 195.6 | 206.0 | 209.7 | 214.4 | 2,627.4 |
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization[42]
Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity, 1939–1966)[43] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)[44] |
Government
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 the Prime 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 of Parliament. 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:
Name | From | To |
---|---|---|
Othman Mohd Rijal | 2001 | 2003 |
Suhaili Abdul Rahman | 2003 | 2008 |
Ahmad Phesal Talib | 2008 | 2011 |
Yussof Mahal | 2011 | 2013 |
Rozman Haji Isli | 2013 | 2018 |
Amir Hussein | 2018 | 2022 |
Bashir Alias | 2022 | 2023 |
Anifah Aman | 2023 | Incumbent |
Administrative subdivision
The Federal Territory is administratively subdivided into the capital Bandar Victoria and 27 kampung (administrative villages),[45][46] and which are ruled by appointed Ketua Kampung (headmen):
- Bukit Kalam
- Durian Tunjung
- Tanjung Aru
- Pohon Batu
- Batu Arang
- Patau-Patau 2
- Belukut
- Sungai Keling
- Sungai Bedaun / Sungai Sembilang
- Layang-Layangan
- Sungai Labu
- Pantai
- Gersik / Saguking / Jawa / Parit
- Sungai Buton
- Kilan / Kilan Pulau Akar
- Lajau
- Rancha-Rancha
- Nagalang / Kerupang
- Bebuloh
- Sungai Lada
- Lubok Temiang
- Sungai Bangat
- Sungai Miri / Pagar
- Patau-Patau 1
- Batu Manikar
- Bukit Kuda
- Ganggarak / Merinding
Security
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.
Demographics
Population and religion
Year | Pop. | ±% | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | 54,241 | — | ||
2000 | 70,871 | +30.7% | ||
2010 | 83,920 | +18.4% | ||
2020 | 95,120 | +13.3% | ||
| ||||
Source: [47] |
According to Malaysia's Department of Statistics, Labuan's population was 86,908 at the 2010 Census and 95,120 at the 2020 Census.
As of 2010[update] Census the population of Labuan is 76.0%
Ethnic groups | Ethnics | Total |
---|---|---|
Bumiputera | Malay | 34,068 |
Kadazan-Dusun (including/excluding Rungus) | 9,408 | |
Bajau | 6,866 | |
Murut | 1,265 | |
Lun Bawang/Lundayeh and Other Bumiputeras (mostly Dayaks from Sarawak) |
21,064 | |
Non-Bumiputeras | Chinese | 9,843 |
Indian | 891 | |
Others | 883 | |
Non-citizen | 10,832 | |
Total | 95,120 |
Economy
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 including
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Labuan is estimated at MYR3.63 billion in 2012 with a growth rate of 5.8 percent. 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 percent to the island GDP. The service sector consisted mainly of Finance and Insurance and Real Estate and Business Services. Additionally, recent real estate transaction data reveals that Labuan's residential median price stands at RM 420,000, with a price per square foot (PSF) of RM 214.96, based on 89 transactions.[51] The commercial sector reflects a median price of RM 1,250,475, with a PSF of RM 881.73, based on 8 transactions[52], according to figures provided by NAPIC over the past 12 months[53]. Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector consists mainly of oil and gas industry and support.[54]
The Labuan International Business and Financial Centre
Since its inception, the jurisdiction has expanded to become a base for more than 4,800 offshore companies and 68 licensed banks. The IBFC also has over 370 registered foundations, 100 partnerships, and over 63 licensed trusts.[55] 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.
Places of interest
There are several attractions and places of interest in Labuan. The
Labuan is also the base for diving on four popular wreck dives: the Cement wreck, the American wreck, (the first USS Salute), the Australian wreck and the Blue Water wreck.[56]
Labuan has many schools. However, it has only one international school, Labuan International School.[57] 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,, and Labuan take their courses at this institution.
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Replica Clock Tower of 1906[note 1]
Postage stamps and postal history
A post office was operating in Labuan by 1864, and used a circular date stamp as postmark. The postage stamps of India 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 of
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 were cancelled-to-order for sale to collectors and are now worth only pennies; genuine franked/post used stamps are worth much more.
Federal Parliament Seats
List of Labuan representatives in the Federal Parliament (Dewan Rakyat)
Parliament | Seat Name | Member of Parliament | Party |
---|---|---|---|
P166 | Labuan | Suhaili Abdul Rahman | PN (BERSATU) |
Notable residents
- Hassan Sani, Malaysian and Sabah football player
- Kelvin Teo, young entrepreneur and season 1 winner of reality show Love Me Do
- Karen Kong, Hong Kong-based Malaysian pop singer
- Suresh Singh, right-hand bowler who plays for the Malaysian cricket national team
- Barisan Nationalparty and former Member of Parliament for Labuan
Notes
References
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- ^ "The Straits Times, 14 October 1848, Page 3 (Labuan)". National Library Board. 14 October 1848. p. 3. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
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- ^ Mundy, Rodney (1848). Narrative of Events in Borneo and Celebes, down to the Occupation of Labuan: from the Journals of James Brooke, Esq. Vol. 1. John Murray.
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- Gross National Productsof Malaysia as well as develop the island and areas within its vicinity.
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Further reading
- Labuan Story: Memoirs of a Small Island near the Coast of North Borneo (1958) Maxwell Hall Jesselton, North Borneo: Chung Nam.
- The history of Labuan Island (Victoria Island) (1996) Stephen R. Evans, Abdul Rahman Zainal and Rod Wong Khet Ngee. Singapore: Calendar Print
- Chai Foh Chin (2007) Early Picture Postcards of North Borneo and Labuan
- Stephen R. Evans, Abdul Rahman Zainal and Rod Wong Khet Ngee (Reprint 2007) The History of Labuan (Victoria Island)