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Labuan

"The Garden Of Borneo"

- Duty Free Island
- International Offshore Financial Centre
- Federal Territory

Labuan Facts

Labuan comprises one main island and six other smaller ones covering an area of 92 sq. km. It is located off the coast of East Malaysia.

The population of Labuan is about 76,000.

Labuan is a tropical island with warm climate all year round. The average temperature is about 30 degree Celsius.

Labuan is a Federal Territory of Malaysia, a democratic country based on the parliamentary system.

Local time: GMT +8 hours ; Sunrise: 0600 hours ; Sunset: 1830 hours

1 hospital with 109 beds; 13 government doctors and 15 private practitioners.

Land Used : 56% developed. Balance 44% in secondary jungle or swamp

Electricity : 122 mw (MegaWatt) is generated of which 60 mw is supplied to Sabah. Daily consumption is rated at 39 mw. This means Labuan has an excess capacity of 23 mw.

Water Supply : Present demand rated at 6 million gallons per day (MGD) - 4.2 MGD from Sabah and 2 MGD from Bukit Kuda and Kerupang reservoirs.

Education : 39 pre-schools; 14 primary schools; 6 secondary schools; 1 Technical school; 1 International school, 1 Industrial Training Institute, 1 Matriculation College and 1 University

Labuan History

Labuan had a glorious history under the rule of various empires. After the demise of the Majapahit Empire in the 14th century, Labuan came under the rule of the Brunei Sultanate. The British then officially declared Labuan a colony of the British Empire in 1849 and renamed it Victoria. The British lost its hold over Labuan in 1942 when the Japanese invaded the island. Britain resumed power over Labuan 3 years later and subsequently ceded the island to Sabah in 1963 when Sabah joined Malaysia. The administration of Labuan was handed over to the Federal Government of Malaysia in 1984. In 1990, Labuan was declared an International Offshore Financial Centre.

Visit http://www.labuan.net/labuan-history.html for more details

Places Of Interest

An''Nur Jamek Mosque

This splendid mosque was built at a cost of US$11 million and is the pride of the Labuan''s Muslim community. Its futuristic architecture symbolizes the progressive spirit of the people and island of Labuan.

World War II Memorial Park

A beautifully landscaped cemetery, the War Memorial is located at Tanjung Purun on the outskirts of Labuan town (formerly Victoria Town). The memorial is the final resting place of fallen Allied soldiers. Maintained by the Commonwealth War Commission, it is a poignant memorial to the 4,000 Australian, New Zealand, and British Allied servicemen who had lost their lives during the World War II. A section is also dedicated to the Indian Soldiers of the Punjab Regiment who died fighting alongside their comrades. Many visitors, especially those from Australia, often return annually to pay their respects to lost friends and relatives.

Labuan Square

Previously known as the "Labuan Town Field", it has since been transformed into an interesting park with neat lawns and fine examples of trees, shrubs, and flora that are indigenous to Labuan. The park''s design reflects Labuan''s status as an International Offshore Financial Centre and is a popular place to stroll and relax.

Peace Park

Located at Layang-Layangan Village in the west coast of Labuan, Peace Park is dedicated to all fallen soldiers of World War II. This beautifully landscaped park has developed into a place of pilgrimage for those who visit Labuan. Located next to it is Surrender Point. It was built as a memorial where the commander of the Japanese Army surrendered to the Australian on September 9th, 1945, which led to the end of World War II in Borneo.

Kampung Ayer (Water Village)

There are a few stilt villages that can be found on this island. Kampung Patau-Patau and Kampung Bebuloh Laut are two fine examples. Clusters of Malay-styled wooden houses on stilts are built out over the sea and are connected to the land by raised walkways. Currently, efforts are made to ensure that these scenic water villages are not bypassed by the rapid development that is transforming the island. A modern water village complex has been built to cater to thousands of visitors. It is facilitated with seafood restaurants, shopping malls, and a boardwalk. Visitors can also stay in waterfront chalets or enjoy a host of water sports activities.

The Chimney

Situated at Tanjong Kubong, the Chimney is the only reminder of the coaling days of Labuan. The coal-mining era started in 1847 and ended in 1912. During that time, Labuan was used as a coaling station for ships sailing to the Far East. A single rail track was constructed to transport coal to the Victoria Port.

Financial Park

Recently completed, the Financial Park at Jalan Merdeka houses international offshore banks, and insurance and trust companies. A 1,500 sitting capacity convention hall and large shopping mall is also available for visitors. This modern complex is reputed to be the only one of its kind in any International Offshore Financial Centre throughout the world.

Labuan Market

Located in the heart of Labuan town, the Labuan Market is a lively place full of colors, sights, smells, and sounds. Test your bargaining skills while finding your way around the bustling crowds. A variety of local produce such as fruits, vegetables, fresh spices, fish, prawns, batik, rattan and other handicrafts are sold. Products from around the region are also sold here.

Beaches & Islands

Labuan and its neighbouring islands are a sun-seeker''s paradise with breathtaking panoramic views of the South China Sea, secluded white sandy beaches, and lots of tropical sunshine. The remote islands of Papan, Kuraman, Daat, Rusukan Besar, Rusukan Kecil, and Burong have plenty to offer. Visitors can spend the day exploring the beaches or the dense jungle inland, which is home to a variety of plants and animal. There are also a variety of water sports, such as jet skiing, wind surfing, scuba diving, fishing, and even wreck diving. The crystal clear water offers a window to the rich marine life of the South China Sea.

Wreck Diving

Labuan offers ideal diving conditions all year round for beginning, novice, and seasoned divers. Crystal clear waters and an opulence of shipwrecks have made Labuan the region''s center for wreck diving. Four shipwrecks have been discovered so far. Two were sunk during World War II and the other two were commercial vessels that sank in the 1980s. Diving expeditions can be arranged to Labuan''s four major wrecks: American, Australian, Blue Water, and Cement Wreck.

Located southwest of Pulau Rusukan Kecil, the American Wreck is the USS Salute, which is a minesweeper built in late 1943. It was sunk by a mine in 1945 and now sits on a sandy bottom at 33m. The Australian Wreck site lies approximately 23km from Labuan and southwest of Pulau Rusukan Besar. The identity of the ship is still uncertain. It was a freighter built in Rotterdam in 1900, captured by the Japanese in 1942, and sunk by the Royal Australian Air Force in 1945. Hence it was aptly named after its foe. The Cement Wreck is the MV Tung Hwang. It was a freighter, which hit a sandbank in 1980 while carrying cement for the Sultan of Brunei''s new palace. Located east of Pulau Kuraman, it sits upright in 30m of water and its masts are 8m below the surface. The Blue Water Wreck sits approximately 34km offshore Labuan, northwest of Pulau Kuraman. It was the MV Mabini Padre, a Philippine trawler that sank in November 1981. Being further offshore, this wreck usually has the best visibility. Among all the wrecks, the Cement Wreck is the easiest to dive and is usually used for wreck-dive training. The American and Blue Water Wreck are for experienced divers only.

Getting To Labuan?

Lying just 8 km off the western coast of Borneo, one of the world''s largest islands, Pulau Labuan is one of the most accessible islands in the world today. It is well connected by air, sea, land and via the information highway.
Malaysian Airlines and Air Asia flies daily from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Bandar Seri Begawan to this beautiful island. Kota Kinabalu in the Borneo state of Sabah also serves as an international gateway for Labuan with its regular flights everyday.
For those wishing a more leisurely and cheaper approach, high speed air conditioned ferries ply daily to Labuan from Kota Kinabalu, Sarawak and Brunei. Travelling time from Kota Kinabalu is about three hours and Brunei about one hour.
Another favourite alternative is to take the ferry from Menumbok, a small fishing town in Sabah which lies closest to Labuan.
The ferry here can accommodate trucks and passenger cars. This is the most economical and convenient "trade route" that connects Labuan and the Borneo hinterland.

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