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Sabah (Malaysia) Overview: Sabah is a Malaysian state located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in Malaysia after Sarawak, which it borders with on its south-west. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south. Sabah is known as "the Land Below the Wind" because geographically it is situated below the typhoon and monsoon belt. Territory: Sabah's terrain is rugged, with Mt. Kinabalu, at 4,101 metres, dominating the surrounding landscape. It has a wide diversity of flora and fauna, as well as one of the world's largest rainforests. It occupies about 10% of the island of Borneo with a land area of 74,000 sq.km(excluding the island of Labuan). Location: Sabah is located at the northeast corner of Borneo. Latitude and Longitude: 5.15 North 117.0 East Time Zone: GMT +8 Total Land Area: 73711 EEZ: Climate: Sabah has an equatorial climate. Temperatures rarely rise above 32°C (90°F) except on exceptionally hot days, and along the coastal areas rarely drop below 20°C (68°F) at night. Although in the interior and at higher altitudes it can get quite cold at night. Relative humidity is usually 85-95 per cent. Rainfall is common throughout the year, and varies from about 150 cm (60 inches) to over 450 cm (180 inches) per year. In most parts of Sabah the wetter period (or rainy season) occurs during the North East Monsoon from October to February and the drier season during the South West Monsoon from March to September, but often there is no really sharp division between the two. It is sufficient to say that on the whole, sunny blue skies are the norm but when it rains, the heavens open. Natural Resources: Sabah's economy was heavily dependent on timber export, but with the depletion of this natural resource and policies to save the rainforest in order to exploit it on a sustainable basis palm oil has become a major player in Sabah economy, next to tourism. Other agrarian products include rubber and cacao. ECONOMY: Total GDP: 2000 12,099,000.00 USD Per Capita GDP: 1990 2,808.00 USD % of GDP per Sector: Primary Secondary Tertiary 2002 43.7% % % % of Population Employed by Sector Primary Secondary Tertiary 1991 246416% 49900% 268448% External Aid/Remittances: From the September 2007 Malaysian Federal Budget, under Regional Development: 80. The Government will continue to intensify efforts to further develop Sabah and Sarawak. A sum of RM4 billion is allocated to implement several projects to improve the quality of life in Sabah. Among the major projects are the construction of Jalan Kota Marudu-Ranau, Sandakan Northern Ring Road, upgrading of Jalan Kota Belud-Langkon, provision of rural health services, hospital facilities, low-cost housing, electricity and water supply, as well as upgrading of roads and railway. Growth: Labour Force: 1991 619,000 Unemployment Year: Unemployment Rate (% of pop.)

Sabah (Malaysia) - Island Studies Journal · PDF fileSabah (Malaysia) Overview: Sabah is a ... There is one railway which connects Kota Kinabalu with Tenom on the west coast of Sabah

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Sabah(Malaysia)

Overview:SabahisaMalaysianstatelocatedonthenorthernportionoftheislandofBorneo.ItisthesecondlargeststateinMalaysiaafterSarawak,whichitborderswithonitssouth-west.ItalsosharesaborderwiththeprovinceofEastKalimantanofIndonesiainthesouth.Sabahisknownas"theLandBelowtheWind"becausegeographicallyitissituatedbelowthetyphoonandmonsoonbelt.

Territory:Sabah'sterrainisrugged,withMt.Kinabalu,at4,101metres,dominatingthesurroundinglandscape.Ithasawidediversityoffloraandfauna,aswellasoneoftheworld'slargestrainforests.Itoccupiesabout10%oftheislandofBorneowithalandareaof74,000sq.km(excludingtheislandofLabuan).

Location:SabahislocatedatthenortheastcornerofBorneo.

LatitudeandLongitude:5.15North117.0East

TimeZone:GMT+8

TotalLandArea:73711

EEZ:

Climate:Sabahhasanequatorialclimate.Temperaturesrarelyriseabove32°C(90°F)exceptonexceptionallyhotdays,andalongthecoastalareasrarelydropbelow20°C(68°F)atnight.Althoughintheinteriorandathigheraltitudesitcangetquitecoldatnight.Relativehumidityisusually85-95percent.Rainfalliscommonthroughouttheyear,andvariesfromabout150cm(60inches)toover450cm(180inches)peryear.InmostpartsofSabahthewetterperiod(orrainyseason)occursduringtheNorthEastMonsoonfromOctobertoFebruaryandthedrierseasonduringtheSouthWestMonsoonfromMarchtoSeptember,butoftenthereisnoreallysharpdivisionbetweenthetwo.Itissufficienttosaythatonthewhole,sunnyblueskiesarethenormbutwhenitrains,theheavensopen.

NaturalResources:Sabah'seconomywasheavilydependentontimberexport,butwiththedepletionofthisnaturalresourceandpoliciestosavetherainforestinordertoexploititonasustainablebasispalmoilhasbecomeamajorplayerinSabaheconomy,nexttotourism.Otheragrarianproductsincluderubberandcacao.

ECONOMY:

TotalGDP:2000 12,099,000.00USD

PerCapitaGDP:1990 2,808.00USD

%ofGDPperSector: Primary Secondary Tertiary2002 43.7% % %

%ofPopulationEmployedbySector Primary Secondary Tertiary1991 246416% 49900% 268448%

ExternalAid/Remittances:FromtheSeptember2007MalaysianFederalBudget,underRegionalDevelopment:80.TheGovernmentwillcontinuetointensifyeffortstofurtherdevelopSabahandSarawak.AsumofRM4billionisallocatedtoimplementseveralprojectstoimprovethequalityoflifeinSabah.AmongthemajorprojectsaretheconstructionofJalanKotaMarudu-Ranau,SandakanNorthernRingRoad,upgradingofJalanKotaBelud-Langkon,provisionofruralhealthservices,hospitalfacilities,low-costhousing,electricityandwatersupply,aswellasupgradingofroadsandrailway.

Growth:

LabourForce:1991 619,000

UnemploymentYear: UnemploymentRate(%ofpop.)

1990 8.9%2000 5.6%

Industry:PalmOil,rubber,cocoa

NicheIndustry:

Tourism:TheSabahNinthMalaysiaPlan(2006-2010)identifiedtourismasanimportanteconomicgrowthsector,gearedtowardsmakingSabahadevelopedstateinMalaysiabyyear2015.Currently,tourismisthesecondlargestcontributortotheeconomy.In2006,2milliontouristsvisitedSabah.

ImportsandExports:TakenfromtheStatebudget,November2007:FortheeconomyofSabah,theexternalsectorwillcontinuetobethemaindriver.Exportsgrewby10percentinthefirstquarterofthisyearandthisgrowthmomentumisexpectedtocontinuein2008asworldtradeisforecasttopickupby7.9percentfrom7.1percentthisyear.WiththeworldÂ’stwofastestgrowingnationsnamelyChinaandIndiaastheStateÂ’slargestexportdestinations,theStateÂ’sexportsgrowthwillremainrobustinthenextfewyears.China,beingtheStateÂ’slargestexportdestinationconsumedabout20percentofthestateÂ’stotalexportsofRM6.7billioninthesecondquarterof2007,whileIndiaabsorbedabout11percent(RM1.63billion).Inthesecondquarterof2007,thestateÂ’stradesurplushasalreadyreachedaboutRM2.4billion.ExportsofpalmoilaloneamountedtoRM5.0billionrepresenting34.6percentoftotalexportsofRM14.4billioninthesecondquarterof2007.ExportsofpalmoilalonerosetoRM8.1billion,anincreaseof14.1percentfromtheyearbeforebuoyedbyrisingpalmoilprices.ThesecondhighestitemexportedwascrudepetroleumvaluedatRM7.6billionor20percentofthestateÂ’stotalexports.Thiswasfollowedbyexportsofprimarytimberproducts,hotbriquettediron,methanol,rubberandcocoabeans.

Tot.ValueofImports 0.00()FromEu:ImportPartners(EU:)PartnersOutsideEU:ImportPartners:Tot.ValueofExports ()ToEu:ExportPartners:PartnersOutsideEU:: China,IndiaExportPartners:

MainImports: Mainlyconsumptiongoodsincludingfood,beverages,tobaccoandvegetableoil

MainExports: Palmoil(RM8.1B),crudepetroleum(RM7.6B),primarytimberproducts,hotbriquettediron,methanol,rubberandcocoabeans.

TRANSPORTATION/ACCESS

External:

NumberofAirports:5Therearecurrently6airlinesflyingdirectlyinKotaKinabalu,thecapitalcity.

NumberofMainPorts:8Forseafarersandsailors,therearemarinasavailablearoundSabah.ThemostprestigiousistheSuteraHarbourMarina,locatedintheSuteraHarbourResortcomplexinthesouthofthecity.OtherplacestoberthatKotaKinabaluincludetheTanjungAruMarina,locatedattheShangri-laTanjungAruResort,andtheKotaKinabaluYachtClub.ManysailorsjustberthinfrontofthecityneartheWaterfrontEsplanade.MoremarinasaroundSabah:Sandakan:SandakanYachtClub;Tawau:TawauYachtClub;Kudat:KudatMarina&GolfClub.LabuanIslandhasanotherworldclassmarinaattheLabuanWaterfrontHotel.LabuanIslandisalsoaccessiblebyferryfromKotaKinabalucityandfromMenumboktownnearKualaPenyuandtheKliasregion.FromKotaKinabalu,therearetwoferrydeparturestoLabuandaily.Thejourneytakes3hrsandcostsaroundUS$10forareturntrip.

Internal:

AirMostmajortownsinSabahhaveairportsfordomestictravel.Heli-charterisavailablefromSabahAirinKotaKinabalutosomedestinationsontheislands,andalsotoKundasangatthefootofMtKinabalu.TheLayang-LayangIslandisonlyaccessiblebyair.

Road:Trafficdrivesontheleft.

Sea:

OtherFormsofTransportation:GettingaroundinSabahiseasy.Dependingonthedestinationsthatyouwishtovisit,differentmodesoftransportareavailablesuchas:-Carrentals,publictransport,railway,boatsandferries,marinas,andair.ThereisonerailwaywhichconnectsKotaKinabaluwithTenomonthewestcoastofSabah.

EconomicZones:

EnergyPolicy:Malasiaisservedbythreeelectricityutilities,oneofwhichistheSabahElectricitySdn.Board,inadditiontovariousindependentproducers.(2001)487.7MWcapacityusingacombinationofgas,oil,hydroanddiesel.

Type Sector

YearTotalEnergyProduction(Mwh)

Thermic(Mwh)

Geothermic(Mwh)

Other(Mwh)

TotalEnergyConsumption(Mwh)

Domestic(Mwh)

Commercial(Mwh)

PublicService(Mwh)

Industry(Mwh)

PublicLighting(Mwh)

2001 4,870 0 0 0 1,912 0 0 0 0 0

OfficialCurrency:MalaysianRinggit(RM)

BankingandInsurance:NumberofBanksandCreditUnions:NumberofAgriculturalCreditUnions:NumberofInsuranceCompanies:

FinancialServices:

Communications/E-Commerce:

PublicOwnership:TakenfromtheStatebudget,November2007:Fromtheaspectsofeconomicdevelopment,creditshouldbegiventotheruralwomenfortheirwillingnesstotakeupthechallengeinmakingthemicrocreditschemeasuccess.ThisschemeismanagedbyYayasanUsahaMajuwiththeobjectivetoovercomepovertyintheruralareas.Thewomenhavetakenfulladvantageofthefinancialfacilitiesprovidedtoupliftthestatusandqualityoflifeoftheirfamilies,andhavebeenabletorepaytheloansgivenwithagoodperformanceofupto96percent.OurcongratulationstoSabahwomenespeciallytothosewhohaveparticipatedinthemicrocreditscheme.ThecumulativeloanswhichhavebeengivenoutuptoendofSeptember2007amountedtoRM15.69millioninvolving3,825borrowers,ofwhich,1,547ofthemarefromthepoorandhardcorepoorgroups.

LandUse:InSabah,thelawrecognisesthatindigenouspeopleshavenativecustomaryrightsoverthelandstheyhavebeenoccupyingandcultivating.Althoughsuchrightsdonotamounttoownership,theyformthebasisforaflexiblearrangementthatgivesadegreeofcontroltoindigenouspeoplesovertheirlands.

Agriculture/Forestry:Sabah'seconomywastraditionallyheavilylumberdependent,basedonexportoftropicaltimber,buttheincreasingdepletionofthenaturalforestsandecologicaleffortstosaveremainingnaturalrainforestareashasgreatlydecreasedthiseconomicactivity.Palmoilhasemergedasamoresustainableresource.OtheragriculturalproductsimportantintheSabaheconomyincluderubberandcacao.

MarineActivity:

Fishing:MalaysiaÂ’sriversandnaturalandmanmakelakesarehometoover300speciesoffreshwaterfishofwhicharound40speciescanbecaughtonrodandline.TheprimefreshwatersportfishincludetheferociousGiantSnakehead,thefastrunningMalaysianJunglePerch,theGiantFeatherback,themassivefreshwaterCatfishandtheelusivebutpowerfulMalaysianMahseer.TheseasofMalaysiaofferawidediversityofdepth,terrainandfishspecies.ThewestcoastofPeninsulaMalaysiaisprimarilyabottomfishingare.Depthsrarelyexceed100metersandqualitytablesuchasgrouper,snapperandthreadfinarethemainquarry.SailfishandNarrowbarredMackerelarefoundseasonallywhileGiantTrevallyandBarracudaarequitecommoncatches.Incontrast,theeastcoastofPeninsulaMalaysia,offthedistantIslandofAur,PemanggilandTiomanishometobiggamefish,theBlackMarlinbeingthemostfamous.OthergamefishincludeSailfish,GiantTrevally,Dolphinfish(Mahi-Mahi),Cobia,MackerelandBarracuda.TheMarlinofMalaysiaÂ’seastcoastaveragebetween50kgto150kg.TheBorneocoastoftheSouthChinaSeaalsoofferalsoofferexcellentbiggamefishingwiththeislandofLabuanbeingcentrallylocatedtotheseprimefishingareas.TheeastcoastofSabahborderingtheSuluandSulawesiseas,withwaterover2000metresindepth,boastbothexcellentbottomfishingaroundreefareasandtopclassgamefishingwithMarlin,Sailfish,Yellowfin,BigeyeandDogtoothTuna.

MarineLife:

CriticalIssues:

JURISDICTIONALRESOURCES

Capital:KotaKinabalu

PoliticalSystem:Sabahadoptsademocraticsystemofpolitics,whereageneralelectionforStateandFederallevelisheldeveryfiveyears.ThepresentelectedStateandFederalGovernmentisheldbyBarisanNasional,acoalitionofmajorethnicpartiesofSabahwithmajorpartiessuchasUMNO,SAPP,UPKO,AKAR&PBRSandPBS.AuniquefeatureofSabah'spoliticsisthatsince1994,theChiefMinister'spostisrotatedamongthecoalitionpartiesevery2years,thusgivinganequalamountoftimeforeachethnicgrouptoruletheState.ThepresentChiefMinisterofSabahisYABDatukSeriHajiMusaHajiAmanwhichwaselectedtopowerin2002withhistermexpiringintheyear2004.TheFederalGovernmentisalsoheldbyBarisanNasional,headedbyMalaysia'sPrimeMinisterYABDatukSeriAbdullahAhmadBadawi.Overthepasttwodecades,undertheadministrationofTunDrMahathir,Malaysia'spreviousprimeminister,Malaysiahasachievedtremendousdevelopmentandsuccess.TunDrMahathirrelinquishedthehelmtoDatukAbdullah

BadawiinOctober2003.

PoliticalParties:LiberalDemocraticParty(Malaysia);PartiBersatuRakyatSabah;PartiBersatuSabah;SabahProgressiveParty

ImportantLegislation:20Pointagreement:The20-pointagreement,orthe20-pointmemorandum,isanagreementmadebetweenthestateofSabah(thenNorthBorneo)withwhatwouldbethefederalgovernmentofMalaysiapriortotheformationofMalaysiainSeptember16,1963.Theagreementwaswrittenforthemainpurposeofsafeguardingtheinterests,rights,andtheautonomyofthepeopleofSabahuponenteringthefederationofMalaysia.ItwasoriginallyenvisagedthatSabahbeoneofthefourentitiesinthefederation,theothersbeingMalaya,Singapore,andSarawak.Howeverastimespassed,SabahandSarawakhasendedupbeingmerelyoneofthe13statesinthefederation.

PrincipalTaxes:Thetaxraterangesfrom0-29%basedonincomeranges.RM2,500=1%,RM5,000=3%,RM10,000=5%,RM20,000-35,000=9%,RM35,000-50,000=15%,RM50,000-70,000=20%,RM70,000-100,000=25%,RM100,000-150,000=28%,RM150,000+=29%

AssociatedPower:

Citizenship:Malasian

Paradiplomacy:

HUMANRESOURCES

Sabah'spopulationisheterogeneousandculturallydiverse,withmorethan30differentethnicracesandover80localdialectsspoken.TheKadazandusun-ThisisthelargestethniccategoryinSabahandispredominantlywetriceandhillricecultivators.TheRungus-Othersstillfollowtheirtraditionallifestyle,buttheonlyKadazandusuntribewhichcontinuestoliveincommunaldwellingsorlonghousesistheRungus,whosehomeisthenorthwestofSabah.TheMurut-BeingoneofthelargestindigenousgroupsinSabah,MurutcompriseofsubgroupssuchasBaukan,Gana',Kalabakan,Okolod,Paluan,Sulangai,Serudung,Tagal,TimugonandtheBeaufortandKeningauMurut.Literally"Murut"means"hillpeople".TheyinhibittheinteriorandsouthwesternpartsofSabahandtheterritorystraddlingtheKalimantanandSarawakborders.Theyaremostlyshiftingcultivatorsandhunterswithsomeriverinefishing.ThoseofMurutoriginspeak15languagesand21dialects.ThelanguagecommonlyusedandunderstoodbythelargemajorityisTanggal.TheirlanguageisalsorelatedtotheKadazandusunlanguages.TheMuslimBisaya-AnotherDusunicgroup,theMuslimBisaya,liveontheKliasPeninsulasouthofKotaKinabalu,andalongthelowerreachesofthePadasandKliasRivers.TheBisayaarebestknownforharvestingthesagopalmswhichgrowinswampyground;theyfellthepalms,raspthepithofthetrunkandextractthestarchwhichwasonceeatenasastaple.TheOrangSungei-Paitanic-speakingpeople,mostofthemlivinginthenorthandcenterofSabah,livemainlyalongriversandcallthemselvesOrangSungei(literally“peopleoftheriver”).AnothergroupbelongingtothesamefamilyistheIda’an,wholivealongtheeastcoastandconvertedtoIslamasfarbackasthe15thcentury.TheBajau-TheBajau,originallyfromthePhilippines,sailedacrosstheSuluSeatosettlealongthecoastsofSabah.Onthewest,theBajauofKotaBeludarefamousfortheircolourfulcostumes,andtheirskillsashorsemen.

2005

Island Area(kmsq.) Population %ofTotalPopulation

Populationdensity=39.62/KM

Population:Year ResidentPopulation

AgeofPopulation: 0-14 15-24 25-49 50-64 65andup2005 1025800 1,823,500 0 0 82,800

Migration:Illigalimmigrationishigh.Foreignworkersmakeupabout90%oftheagriculturalemployees.1997:Sabah.TheMalaysianstatesofSabahandSarawakareonthenorthernpartoftheislandofBorneoandhaveautonomyinimmigrationpolicy.OnMarch1,1997,Sabahannouncedasix-monthlegalizationprogramandasofMay31,1997,some140,028illegalimmigrantswithoutemployers---27,463Indonesiansand112,565Filipinos--hadregistered.Inaddition,3,123employersregistered12,411illegalforeignworkersandanother2,197employersregistered2,281housemaids.TheregularizationprogramwasscheduledtorununtilAugust31,1997,withthepromiseof"all-outaction"againstillegalsinSeptember.SinceMarch1,1997,some1,777illegalmigrantsreturnedhome,including1,080Indians,624Pakistanis,39Chineseand19Filipinos.AsforeignerstakejobsinSabah,SabahyouthsmigratetopeninsularMalaysiaforjobs,despiteassurancesthattherearejobsinSabah.TheMalaysianManpowerdepartmentsaidthatsinceJanuary1997,1,025SabahanshavegonetoworkinpeninsularMalaysiathroughaseriesofjointrecruitmentexercisesbetweenhisdepartmentandpeninsular-basedcompanies.Lastyear2,349leftSabahforjobsonthepeninsula.Anestimated20,000youthsfromSabahareworkinginpeninsularMalaysia.TheMalaysianTradesUnionCongressclaimsthatsomeworkersinmanufacturingandserviceindustriesinSabaharebeingpaidlowerwages.TheMTUCsaysthatminimummonthlywageforaSabahanworker,giventhehighercostoflivingcomparedtopeninsularMalaysia,shouldbenolessthanRM650.SomeworkersareearningfromRM6.50toRM185permonth.ThegovernmentsofthestateofSabahandthePhilippineshaveagreedonajointefforttoregulateborder-crossingbetweenTawi-TawiinMindanaoandSabahinMalaysiainordertoslowtheillegalflowofpeopleandgoodsbetweentheseareas.Undertheagreement,citizensofbothcountriesmustsecurecross-borderpermitsintheirowncountrypriortocrossingtheborder.ThisplanwasfirstimplementedJuly1,1997,butMalaysiabackedoffsayingthegovernmentdidnothaveallthenecessarymeasuresinplace,includingcross-borderstations.

CrudeBirthRate:2005 14.9%

LifeExpedctancy:2005:male=71years,female=76years

CrudeDeathRate:

2005 2.1%

Ethnicity:ThepeopleofSabaharedividedinto32officiallyrecognizedethnicgroups:Kadazan-Dusun,Malay,Kwijau,Murut,Bajau,Illanun,Lotud,Rungus,Tambanuo,Dumpas,Mangka'ak,Suluk/Tausug,Ilocano,OrangSungai,Brunei,Kedayan,BisayaBeaufort,Tidong,Maragang,OrangCocos,Paitan,Ida'an,Minokok,Rumanau,Yakan,Chineseofmixedbumiputraparentage,Filipino,Sarawakindigenousgroups,Serani,Chabacano

ClassDivision:

Languages:BahasaMalaysiaistheNationallanguage.Englishiswidelyspokenandunderstood.OtherlanguagesareMandarinChinese,Hakka,CantonisandKadazan.

Religion:In1973,IslamwasmadetheofficialSabahstatereligion(theofficialreligionofSabahwasoriginallyChristianity,aspermittedbytheagreementsignedbeforethemerger).TheConstitutionofMalaysiaprovidesforlimitedfreedomofreligion.

Literacy:1998:87%

EducationSystem:Classesusuallybeginat7amandendat5pm.PRESCHOOL:Pre-schoolispartofthenationaleducationsystemundertheEducationAct,1996.Theaimofpre-schooleducationistoprovideafirmfoundationforformaleducation.Pre-schoolsarerunbygovernmentagencies,nongovernmentalorganisations(NGO's)aswellasprivateinstitutions.Themajorgovernmentagenciesthatareresponsibleforpre-schooleducationaretheMinistryofEducation,theMinistryofRuralDevelopment,andtheMinistryofNationalUnityandcommunityDevelopment.Childrenenrollbetweentheagesof4and6.Allpre-schoolshavetoabidebythecurriculumguidelinessetbytheMinistryofEducation.Thecurriculumenablespre-schoolchildrentoacquiresufficientbasiccommunication,socialandotherpositiveskillsinpreparationforprimaryschooling.PRIMARYSCHOOL:Educationatthislevelaimstoprovidethechildwithafirmfoundationinthebasicskillsofreading,writingandarithmetic,aswellasemphasisingthinkingskillsandvalueacrossthecurriculum.Whileeducationatthislevelisnotcompulsory,morethan99percentofthisagegroupareenrolledinprimaryschoolsthroughoutthecountry.Thesearetwotypesofschoolsattheprimarylevel,thatare,thenationalschoolsandthenationaltypeschools.Inthenationalschools,themediumoftheinstructionistheMalayLanguage.ThemediumofinstructioninthenationaltypeschoolsiseitherChineseLanguageorTamilLanguage.Inbothtypesofschools,theMalayLanguageisacompulsorysubject.Englishistaughtasasecondlanguageinallschools.Chinese,TamilandIndigenouslanguagesarealsotaughtassubjectsinnationalschools.PromotionfromYear1toYearVIisautomaticaspupilsaregivencontinuousschool-basedassessmenttomonitortheirprogressinthemasteryofthebasicskills.TheEducationActof1996providestheprimaryeducationcoursedesignedforadurationofsixyears,whichmaybecompletedwithinfivetosevenyears.Toidentifypupilswhoareabletocompletetheirprimaryeducationwithinfiveyears,theLevelOneAssessment(PTS)wasintroduced.PTSisatestingprocedureadministeredjointlybytheExaminationsSyndicateandtheschoolattheendofYearIIIofprimaryschool.ThePTSisnotcompulsoryasstudentscanoptnottositforit.ThosewithhighscoreswhoareselectedfordoublepromotioncanstilloptnottoproceedtoYearV.AttheendofYearVI,pupilssitforacommonpublicexamination,thePrimarySchoolAchievementTest(UPSR).ThesubjectstestedareMalayLanguage,EnglishLanguage,MathematicsandChineseLanguageorTamilLanguage(forpupilsofNationalTypePrimarySchools).Asof1997,SciencewillalsobetestedinUPSR.AnewelementintheUPSRassessmentistheintroductionofPenilaianAgamaFarduAin(PAFA),aschool-basedassessmentwhichfocusesonthepracticalaspectsofIslamicEducationtoensurethatMuslimstudentsunderstandandpracticecorrectlymattersonFarduAin.SECONDARYSCHOOL:Secondaryeducationaimstopromotethegeneraldevelopmentofstudentsbyhelpingthemtoacquireknowledge,insightandskillsincludingtheinculcationofvaluesontheNationalPhilosphyofEducation.Theultimategoalistodevelopastrongfoundationforlife-longeducation.Besidesreceivinggeneraleducation,studentsareintroducedtothebeginningsofspecialisation.Educationatthislevelisprovidedinnationalsecondaryschools.ThemediumofinstructionintheseschoolsistheMalayLanguage.Asisthecaseinprimaryschools,EnglishLanguageistaughtasasecondlanguageinallschools.Chinese,Tamilandindigenouslanguagearealsoofferedasadditionalsubjects.UndertheEducationAct1996foreignlanguagessuchasArabic,Japanese,French,Germanareintroducedinsecondaryschools.ThecurriculumprescribedforsecondaryschoolsistheintegratedCurriculumforSecondarySchool(ICSS).LowerSecondaryLevel(FormItoFormIII)Thislevelcoversaperiodofthreeyears(FormItoFormIII).PupilsfromthenationalprimaryschoolsenterFormIwhereaspupilsfromChineseandTamilmediumschoolsproceedtoatransitionyear(RemoveClass)beforeenteringFormI.ThisRemoveClassisforpupilstoacquiresufficientproficiencyintheMalayLanguage,whichisthemediumofinstructioninsecondaryschools.However,pupilswhohaveperformedwellintheUPSRareallowedtoproceeddirectlytoformI.Inthelinewiththeemphasisonscienceandtechnologyinnationaldevelopment,studentsaregivenanearlyexposuretovocationaleducationthroughtheintegratedLivingSkillssubject.ThecorecomponentsofthissubjectareManipulativeSkills,CommerceandEntrepreneurship,andFamilyLifeEducation.Oncompletingthreeyearsatthislevel,pupilssitforacommonpubliclowersecondaryschoolexamination,theLowerSecondaryAssessment(PMR),whichisacombinationofcentralizedandschool-basedassessment.Theschool-basedassessmentfollowsguidelinessetbytheExaminationSyndicate.Intandemwiththepolicyofprovidingfiveyearsofsecondaryeducationforall,thePMRisnolongeraterminalexamination,ratheritismoreadiagnosticevaluation.Asaconsequenceuniversaleducationhasbeenextendedfromninetoelevenyears.UpperSecondaryLevel(FormIVtoFormV)Educationattheuppersecondarylevelcoversaperiodoftwoyears.Besidesfollowingthegeneraleducationprogramme,itisatthisstagesthatpupilsbegintospecialiseineitherthearts,science,technical,vocationalorreligiousdisciplines.Specificschoolsaredesignatedforeachdiscipline.Theseschoolsareacademicschools,technicalschools,vocationalschoolsandreligiousschools.

TotalPre-schools:(2007) 186TotalPrimarySchools

FirstLevel:

SecondLevel:

ThirdLevel:

TotalSecondarySchools: 186TotalProfessionalSchoolsUniversities: 13

NumberofSchoolsperIsland: Pre-school Elementary High-school Prof. University

Pub Priv 1 2 3 Pub Priv Pub Priv

StudentsEnrolled:Year: Pre-School Elementary High-school Prof. University

Teachers

Year Pre-SchoolElementary

High-School Prof. University1 2 3

MedicalServices:Thereare22hospitalsinSabah,4ofwhichareprivate.Therearealso10polyclinics.

HISTORYANDCULTURE

History:TheislandofBorneo,thethirdlargestintheworldafterGreenlandandPapaNewGuinea,hasbeendiscoveredbyChineseExplorersevenbeforethefirstCenturyADbutnoattemptshavebeenmadetoconquerit.Therewas,however,apowerfulBruneiSultanatewhichruledovermostofBorneo.In1521,Magellan'sfleetvisitedBruneithusestablishingthefirstrecordedcontactbetweenWesternersandthepeopleofBorneo.Between1521and1764,changesintheSultanateofBruneieventuallylettothehandoverofNorthBorneo(firstEnglishnameforSabah)totheBritishEastIndiaCompanyin1764.In1881,theDentbrothersofLondonsignedallrightstoacompanywhichwasgrantedaroyalcharter.KudatbecamethefirstcapitalofBritishNorthBorneo.TheBritishNorthBorneoCharteredCompanywasofficiallyformedin1882andSandakanbecamethefirstcapitalofBritishNorthBorneo.Jesselton(nowSabah'scapitalKotaKinabalu)wasfoundedinconjunctionwiththeconstreuctionoftheTransBorneorailroad,anddevelopedintoaflourishingtradingpostuntiltheJapaneseoccupiedthewholeofBorneoduringtheSecondWorldWar.JesseltonandSandakanwere,likemanytowns,destroyedinAlliedairraidstargetedattheJapanese.AftertheSecondWorldWartheBritishCharteredCompanywasnotabletorebuildthewardevastatedcountryandcededittotheBritishCrown,andSabahbecameacolony.In1963,NorthBorneobecameindependentandrevertedtoitspre-colonialname,Sabah,onbecomingthe13thstateoftheFederationofMalaysia.In1967,Jesselton,originallynamedafteradirectoroftheNorthBorneoCompany,wasrenamedKotaKinabalu.

Referenda:

RecentSignificantEvents:ThestatusoftheterritoryofSabah,previouslyknownasNorthBorneo,iscurrentlydisputedbetweenMalaysiaandthePhilippines.Presently,SabahisoneofthestatesthatformedMalaysiain1963.Despitethat,thePhilippinesandtheheirsoftheSultanateofSuluhavemadeclaimstotheterritorythoughtheclaimiscurrentlydormant.

Music,Dance,HandicraftandPatrimony:DANSADansaisthedanceoftheCocosIslandersfromtheLahadDatudistrictontheeastcoastofSabah.Thisdanceisusuallyperformedbythreecouplesduringweddingsandoften-festiveoccasions.Thereismuchfeetstomping,makingitaverylivelydance.Musicisprovidedbyacoupleofviolinscalledbiola.ThetopsofthecostumesforboatthemaleandfemaledancersresembletheScottishHighlanderswiththeirfrilledshirtsandscarves.Thewomenweartheseoverbatiksarongs.Thenmenasongkokandalsosarongbatikputihwithheavyshoestoproducethelivelybeatofthedance.LILIPUTLiliputisaBisayadancefromthedistrictofBeaufort.Liliputmeans`go-round`.Itismainlydancedtocastawaytheevilspiritfroma‘possessed`personandthento‘return’theperson’sspirit.Thedancingwillcontinueuntiltheperson’sspirit‘returns’.ANGALANGAngalangisadanceoftheMurut.Inoldendays,thisdancewasperformedincelebrationofasuccessfulheadhuntingparty.Nowadaysitisperformedduringweddingandothersuchoccasions.Theperformanceconsistsofasolomaledancerdoingthemahihialang,whileaaccompaniedbyagroupoffemaledancersperformingtheangalang.ThemaledancerisdressedasawarriorwearingtheMurutbarkjacketandloincloth,wieldingaswordknownasagayang,whilethefemaledancerswearcostumesknownaslimpurwhichisusuallyelaboratelybeadedandembroidered.Ontheirheadsisanornateheadpiecemadeoflongbeadsinfrontandstrandsofsmallerbeadsattheback.Themanwearsthefeatheredheadpiece.Thisdanceisnormallyaccompaniedbymusicplayedonsixlargegongs,twenty-fivetagunggakorbambooidiophones,andadrumcalledtambor.KUDAPASUAdanceoriginallyperformedbyskilledhorsemen,KudaPasuisaBajaudancenowperformedbymaleandfemaledancerstowelcomeoraccompanytheentourageofabridegroomtothebride’sresidence.Theydancetothebeatofthebertitikmusiccalledtigad-tigad.Themaledancersaremetbythefemaledancerswhoholdaredhandkerchieftiedtotheirfingers.Thissymbolizesthewelcomingofthebridegroomandhisparty.LIMBAILimbaiisthedanceoftheBajaupeopleoftheKotaBeludareaonthewestcoastofSabah.ThreetofourcouplesormoredressedinthetraditionalBajaucostumeswiththewomenwearingthegoldornatesarimpakheadpiece,circleabouteachotherwiththewomencomingtorestinaseatedpositionwiththemenstandingbehindthem.Thisdanceischaracterizedbythegracefulrotatingwristmovementsofthedancers.ThemusicaccompanyingtheLimbaiiscalledbertitik.Theinstrumentsusuallyconsistofakulintanganwhichisasetofninesmallkettlegongsandthreehanginggongsandtwodouble-headeddrumscalledgandang.Limbaiisperformedduringweddingsandothersocialoccasions.MENANGKUKPIRINGMenangkukpiringisperformedbytheKadazanDusunoftheKotaMarududistrictinthenorthofSabah.Itisnormallyperformedatweddingandothersocialoccasions.Dancersperformwithplatesheldinthepalmsoftheirhands.Gracefultwistsandturnsoftheirwristsensurethattheseplatesneverfalldown.Afallenplateisabadomen,especiallyifperformedduringaweddingcelebration.Sometimes.Lightedcandlesareplacedinthecentreoftheplates,makingthedanceevenmoreinteresting.MAGUNATIPMagunatipisadanceperformedbytheindigenouspeoplesoftheinteriorsofSabah,includingtheKadazanDusunofTambunan,theKwijauDusunofKeningauandmanyoftheMurutgroups.Magunatipisderivedfromthewordatipmeaning‘topressbetweentwosurfaces’.Magunatipdancersneedgreatskillandagilitytodanceamongthebamboopoles,whicharehittogethertoproducetherhythmofthedance.Itisadanceofhappinessperformedatsocialoccasionsandthehonourdistinguishedguests.MONGIGOLSUMUNDAIMongigolSumundaiisadancefromtheKudatandPitasdistricts,performedbytheRungus.Itisperformedboatasanentertainmentduringfestivitiesaswellasaritualdance.Threetoeightfemaledancersareledbyamaledancer.Thewomenkeeptheirarmsclosetotheirsidesthroughoutthedance,movingonlytheirwrists,stepsarealsoslowandgentle.ThecostumeswornbythefemaledancersisthetraditionalRungusdress–anelaboratelyweavedtopcalledBanatwithaknee-lengthsarungcalledtapi,withascarf-likepieceattachedtothebodiceinthecentreinfrontandthroughoverthebackandcrossedoverwithmanystandsofbeads.Sometimestheywearsaringorbrassarmbanglesandalsobrasslegcoils.Themusicaccompanimentisproducedbyfourgongsandadrumcalledtontog.PAINAThePainaisadanceoftheKadazanDusunfromtheMembakutaresonthewestcoastofSabah.Itisperformedduringthanksgivingcelebrationstothericespiritfollowingthericeharvest.Itisnormallyperformedbyagroupofmenandwomen.Acharacteristicofthemen’sdancingincludesarmsraisedinfrontwithhandsturningfromthewrists,whilethewomendancewithalternateheeltoheel,toetotoefootmovements.ThewomenmaywearthetypicalblackcostumeoftheMembakutKadazanwhichisdecoratedwithshiningbuttons,whilethemenwearthesigarheadclothandasandaihangingfromtheneck.TARIRAIThisisaBajaudancefromtheSempornadistrictontheEastCoastThedanceevolvedfromamythaboutsomepeoplewhowenttolookforseashells.TheyencounteredastrangeanimalandtheactionsoftheTariraidepicttheevasiveactiontheylook.SUMAYAU(MONGIGOLTUARAN)Sumayau(MongigolTuaran)isaritualdanceoftheLotudDusunfronTuaran.

ItsiperformedduringtheRumahawhichisaceremonyforhonouringthespiritsofskulls,ortheMangahauritualsforthespiritsofsacredjars.TheSumayauisperformedbyuptoeightcoupleswhoaredressedinelaborateblackritualcostumeswithlongsleevesandalongsasharoundtheneck.Thewomenwearaceremonialheadpiecewithredfeathers,whilethemenwearthesigar.Thefemaledancersmovethefeetslowly,heeltoheel,toetotoe,whileamaledancerstandsandshakesthegirringorsmallhandbellssownontocloth,keepingintimewiththemusicwhichisplacedongongsandadrum.SUMAZAUPAPARSumazauPaparisadancefromthedistrictofPaparinthewestcoastofSabah.Itisperformedbybothmaleandfemaledancers.Theuniquemovementsofthefeetofthewomenheelmeetingheel,toemeetingtoe-makesthisdancesadelighttowatch.Themendancewiththeirarmsoutstretchedinfrontofthem,turningtheirwristsabout.Thewomenwearthetraditionalknee-lengthPaparcostumesadornedwithbrassbuttonsandgoldtrimmingsontheblouse,withaconicalshapedhatcalledseraungplacedoveraheadclothcalledsenaundung.Themaledancersweartheheadpiececalledasigaraswellasascarforsandaiovertheircostumes.ADAI-ADAIAdai-AdaiisadanceevolvedfromasongsungbyfishermenwhooriginatedfromtheSipitangandMembakutdistrictsintheSouthWeastofSabah.Performedbybothmaleandfemaledancers,thisdancedescribestheactivitiesofthefishermenandalsothefarmersoftheseareas.ThedancersweartraditionalBruneiclothes,andtheaccompanyingmusicfortheAdai-AdaiisnormallyplayedonthegambuswhichisaluteofArabicoriginandpopularamongcoastalMuslims,andthekompang,aframedrum.Thisdanceisusuallyperformedduringimportantvillagefestivalsandalsoatweddingcelebrations.BOLAK-BOLAKBolak-BolakisatraditionaldanceoftheBajaufromtheSempornadistrictontheEastCoast,whichhasbeenhandeddownthroughgenerations.TheBolak-Bolaksignifiesthesoundmadewhencastanetsheldbyadancerisconstantlyclappedtogether,producingtherhythmofthemusicforthedance.Thisdanceistraditionallyperformedduringthepresentationofbrideswealthbythegroomtothebride’sfamilyaspartofaweddingceremony.Themusicaccompanimentisplayedonthekulintanganensembleinadditiontogongsanddrums.SUMAZAUPENAMPANGSumazauPenampangisthetraditionaldanceoftheKadazanDusun.Itisperformedduringbothritualandsocialoccasions.Thedancersperforminpairswiththemanleadingtheway.Bothmaleandfemaledancersstartoffwitharrhythmicmovementonslightlybentkneesandarmsswingingbythesides.Withaloudcrypangkis,themaledancerwilllifthisarmslikewingsoutstretchedandchangehissteptothealternatingsoleandtoemovementwiththewomenfollowingsuit,althoughinamuchgentlermanner.Thedancerswearthetraditionalblackcostumeswithgoldtrimmings.Thewomenwillhavethreerowsofsmallbrassringsstrungonrattancalledtangkong,andthetinggotwhichisabeltofoldsilvercoins.Themenwearacolourfulembroideredheadgearknownassigar.Theaccompanyingmusicisplayedbythesompogogunganensembleconsistingofsixhanginggongsandadrum.DALING-DALINGDaling-DalingisperformedbytheSulukpeoplewhohavesettledontheeastcoastofSabah.ThenameissaidtohavebeenderivedfromtheEnglishword‘Darling’.Maleandfemaledancersdanceinpairsandthisdanceischaracterizedbythebackward-wavefingersmovementsofthewomenwearinglongspikedbrassfingercapscalledjanggai.Theyalsowearthekantiutrousersandthemalkotaheadpiece.Thedancersperformtomusicplayedonawoodenkeepedxylophoneknownasgabang,andabiola,andaccompaniedbysinging,eitherbyasoloistorachorusoffourormore.TITIKASTitikasisatraditionaldanceoftheOrangSungaifromtheKinabatangandistrictinSandakan.Itisperformedasawelcomedanceduringofficialfunctions,aswellasfestiveoccasionsinthevillages.ThehandsmovementsofthedancerscopythegameofIngki-Ingki,whereapersonplacespalm,fromtoptobottomandviceversa.TheinstrumentsusedforthemusicisknownastheTitikasensemble,consistingofanine-keyedgabangorxylophoneandtwolargekantungverticalhardwoodslitgongsthatstandaboutametertall.

Sources:

http://www.sabah.gov.my/info/budget/nationalbudget/NationalBudget08.pdf

http://www.sabahtourism.com/

http://jknsabah.moh.gov.my/modules/xt_conteudo/print.php?id=46

http://www.moe.gov.my/tayang.php?laman=utama&unit=utama&bhs=en

http://www.cogen3.net/doc/policyreview/NationalEnergyPolicyReviewMalaysia.pdf

http://www.sabah.gov.my/info/budget/StateBudgetSpeech2008.htm

http://www.iczm.sabah.gov.my/Tools/Spatial%20Planning/Manual/mst-MODULE-3.html

http://www.sabah.gov.my/Default.asp?culture=br

http://migration.ucdavis.edu/MN/more.php?id=1294_0_3_0

http://www.sabahtravelguide.com/features/default.asp?page=sabahfacts

http://www.sabah.gov.my/didr/new/all_links/Service/Continue.html

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