Well known among the business
community as an International Offshore Financial Centre, Labuan is also
fast becoming popular as an island resort.
Labuan is best known as an offshore financial centre and a tourist
destination for nearby Bruneians and scuba divers. The name Labuan
derives from the Malay word “labuhan” meaning anchorage.
The rich marine life in the waters of Labuan attract many sport-fishing
enthusiasts for year round fishing. The interiors of some of the bigger
islands are covered with dense jungles rich with flora and fauna. In the
surrounding waters of Labuan island are several wrecks that are dive
havens with their rich marine life.
The island also has facilities for golfing, angling and yachting. Last
but not least, duty free shopping is another draw. These attractions
along with its vibrant nightlife make Labuan the ideal choice as a
business holiday, holiday and getaway destination.
Labuan Island (75 km˛) and six other smaller islands (Pulau Burung,
Pulau Daat, Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Papan, Pulau Rusukan Kecil, and Pulau
Rusukan Besar) that, together with Labuan, have an area of 92 km˛. The
islands lie 8 km off the coast of Borneo adjacent to the Malaysian state
of Sabah and the independent State of Brunei Darussalam and are on the
northern edge of Brunei Bay facing the South China Sea. Labuan is mainly
flat and Bandar
Labuan, formerly known as Victoria, is the major town
and port and faces Brunei Bay.
Labuan was part of the Majapahit Empire until its collapse in the 14th
century. Then, it was ruled by the Sultan of Brunei until 1846 when it
was ceded to the British in that year. It was a strategic re-fueling
station for British steamships and was subsequently established as a
free port. Labuan was a British naval base used to fight the pirates in
Brunei Bay and was also the only significant coal-mining center of the
then British Empire in the Far East in 1987. The main town of the island
was named Victoria, after Queen Victoria. During the Japanese occupation
the island was renamed Maida Island. Labuan as part of Sabah, joined
Malaysia in 1963, and was subsequently declared as Federal Territory in
People & Culture
The main town is now known as Bandar Labuan. More than 53% of the
island’s 80,000 population claim Brunei-Malay descendants. Numbering
slightly less are the Kedayan who claim Java origins. There are also the
local Chinese as well as immigrant Fillipinos and Indonesians.
As a duty-free port, it offers great bargain shopping and is a haven for
branded imports. You can go to a posh shopping complex, jostle with
bargain hunters during a cheap sale in a department store or sweat it
out in a night market.
The main shopping hubs are at Jalan OKK Awang Besar, Lazenda Commercial
Centre, and the Financial Park Building. Textiles, jewelry, perfume,
electrical appliances, sports equipment, kitchenware,
alcohol, and cigarettes are popular buys.
Lying just eight km off the western coast of Borneo, one of the world's
largest islands, Labuan is accessible daily by air from Kuala Lumpur,
the capital of Malaysia. Beside Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu also serves
as the international gateway for Labuan. Royal Brunei also flies direct
to Labuan. High speed air‑conditioned ferries ply daily to Labuan from
Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. The average traveling time to these
destinations is about two hours.
FAST FACTS ABOUT
Full Name - Wilayah Perseketuan Pulau Labuan (Federal Territory of
Weather - Warm, sunny days and cool nights all year round with
occasional rain in the evenings. Temperature ranges from 24°C to 34°C.
Humidity is usually exceeds 82.3%. Annual rainfall is 3,500 mm.
Population - 85,000
Capital City - Bandar Labuan (Labuan Town)
People - 77.9% Malays, 15.5%Chinese, 1.3 Indians and 5.3% others
Major products/industries - Oil and gas production & related industries,
followed closely by the manufacturing and tourism sectors and an
increasing financial sectors
known as Victoria town, Labuan Town today is a bustling business
Labuan Square - Museum Square - Kampung Ayer - Labuan Clock Tower -
Labuan International Sea Sports Complex
interest in Labuan
Tanjung Kubong Tunnel & Coalmining - The Chimney - Labuan Bird Park
- Botanical Gardens - Layang-Layangan Beach - Pancur Hitam Beach
are many recreational and other activities available in Labuan
Horse Riding - Kayaking - Sport Fishing - Pulau Papan
World War II
has left its mark in Labuan
Labuan War Cemetery - Surrender Point - Peace Park
three secluded islelets
Pulau Kuraman - Pulau Rusukan Kecil - Pulau Rusukan Besar - Diving
enthusiasts can dive on four wreaks of the islands of Labuan
American Wreck - Australian Wreck - Cement Wreck - Blue Water Wreck
location on Places of Interests, Labuan Marine Park and Dive Wrecks