Labuan: Business and Pleasure

The Garden Island of Borneo, Labuan, offers the best of business and pleasure, catering to almost every class of traveller. From world-class resorts and five-star hotels, to facilities for corporate get-togethers, meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions to water sports, diving, game fishing or just plain relaxing, Labuan has it all. A leading international tax-free haven, Labuan also offers visitors an unspoiled tropical island paradise, with coral reefs, stunning scenery, peace and isolation. The prospects of good shopping, delicious food, interesting tours, watersports and exciting night-life make Labuan an exciting destination.

Geography & History
Labuan located off the coast of East Malaysia comprises one main island (Labuan Island) and six smaller ones (Rusukan Kecil, Rusukan Besar, Kuraman, Daat, Papan and Burung) covering an area of 92 sq. km. Bandar Labuan, formerly known as Victoria is the major town and port.

Labuan which has been under the rule of various powers was part of the Majapahit Empire in the 14th century, before it came under the rule of the Brunei Sultanate. Ceded to the British in 1846 it was officially declared a colony of the British Empire in 1849 and renamed Victoria. During World War II it was occupied by the Japanese who renamed it Maida Island or Maidashima. After the War the British retained control until 1963 when Labuan joined Malaysia as part of Sabah.

Labuan was declared a Federal Territory in 1984 and an International Offshore Financial Centre in 1990. Oil and gas is the main economic activity on the island while other sectors include banking and finance, tourism and education. As a duty free island, Labuan enjoys many special privileges and facilities. In addition to shopping opportunities it also offers business and investment opportunities as Raw materials and components used in manufacturing can be brought in and exported free of duty taxes.

Labuan’s socio-economic and cultural evolution has been highly influenced by its close proximity to Negara Brunei Darussalam. Over 60% of the local sare descendents of the Brunei Malays while the other major group are the Kedayans. Chinese, Indians, other races and foreigners make up the rest of the population.

Getting There & About
International gateways to the island are via Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu,. Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia operates daily flights from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Miri and Kuching to Labuan.You can also fly directly to and from Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei. High-speed, air-conditioned ferries are available from the Sabah mainland, Sarawak and Brunei. There are also vehicle ferries, which operate daily between Labuan and Menumbok, on the mainland of Sabah.

Within Labuan, town buses operate both within town and numerous destinations around. Taxis can also be hired from taxi stands, hailed by roadsides or through a radio-phone paging system.

Heritage Discovery
Labuan Square (Dataran Merdeka)
Four flame-of-the-forest trees, planted in 1953 to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, shades the square where the historical events of Labuan are recorded on four commemorative headstones. Its central focus is a raised open-air stage with tall flag poles flying the flags of Malaysia. The square is a popular venue for some of Labuan's main events.

Peace Park
This beautifully-landscaped park at Layang-Layangan was built as a memorial and renunciation of the war. The focal point of the park is a huge man-made memorial mound and a plaque signifying the renunciation of war, surrounded by gardens and pavilions.

Surrender Point
Situated next to Peach Park, Surrender Point was built in remembrance of the surrender of the Japanese Army to the Australian 9th Division on September 9, 1945. The surrender led to the end of World War II in Borneo.

Labuan War Cemetry & Memorial
At this Memorial situated at Jalan Tanjung Batu lie the remains of 3,908 soldiers, Australians, British, Punjabs, New Zealanders as well as a few locals who died in battle or captivity. On the first Sunday of November every year, a service to mark Remembrance Day is held here attended by locals and foreign visitors.

Tanjung Kubong Tunnel
The site of a productive coal mining industry during its time, a network of underground tunnels and deep wells are found here. Many are yet to be explored.

The Chimney
Standing 106 feet high, the Chimney, erected in the 1800s, is Labuan’s most famous landmark. The purpose of this chimney, made from stacks of red bricks imported from England, remains a mystery but recent archaeological research reveals that there is no indication that it ever served as a chimney!

Labuan Museum
The Labuan Museum showcases the history and culture of Labuan. Exhibits include musical instruments, monetary items, firearms, marriage accessories, costumes, and World War II memorabilia.

Arts & Cultural Exploration
An'nur Jamek Mosque
Labuan’s main mosque and source of pride for Labuan Muslims has a futuristic design. It is symbolic of the progressive spirit of the people of Labuan.

Chinese Temple
There are several Chinese ‘Tao’ temples on the island built mainly by the Hokkien community. The temples are a hive of activity every March, during which time devotees in colourful costumes conduct a deity procession.

Labuan Sikh Temple
Modelled after the famous Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, the Labuan Sikh temple built in 1998 is said to be the largest in Malaysia.

Water Village (Kampung Air)
Labuan’s Water Villages are occupied mainly by Brunei Malays. The main characteristics of the two main water villages here, Kampung Bebuloh Laut and Kampung Patau-Patau, are wooden houses built on stilts over water and linked to each other by wooden walkways.

Great City Destinations
Labuan Marine Museum
The Marine Museum focuses on marine life around Labuan Federal Territory. Exhibition items cover live specimens and preserved species of fish, sea corals, snails and molluscs, reptiles and zoo planktons, sea plants, artefacts from shipwrecks, touch-pool, video wall, graphics, models, posters and charts.

Eco-Adventures
National Parks & Reserves

Labuan Bird Park
Three large dome-shaped cages surrounded by beautiful landscaping are home to many species of Borneo birds. Located near Tanjung Kubong, the bird park houses over 580 species from diverse habitats around the region such as the hornbill, kingfishers, shamas, mynas, herons, ostriches and peacocks.

Labuan Botanical Gardens
Located behind the old airport the Botanical Garden, was previously the grounds of the government house locally known as "Bumbung 12". It is believed that Hugh Low, the Colonial Secretary did much of the early work on the Garden. Many of the older trees were planted by him. The house was completely destroyed during the War.Now it is a recreational park with old trees and beautiful landscaping.

Coasts & Beaches
Beach Fun
Pohon Batu Beach is ideal for swimming and water sports. It is a beautiful beach lined with casuarinas and palm trees. Layang-Layangan beach is another popular weekend retreat. In addition to sandy beaches there are many food stalls with live musical performances every weekend.

Labuan Marine Park
Labuan Marine Park, located 2 kilometers off the southern part of Labuan main island, comprises the islands Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Rusukan kecil and Pulau Rusukan Besar. The islands feature long stretches of sandy beaches, reef atoll, jungle tracks and quiet tidal pools. Sea snakes, rare butterflies and a prolific bird life add to its enchantment. You can swim, snorkel or dive to see the underwater world of fascinating marine life. You are also allowed to scuba dive, sail, kayak and snorkel freely.

Pulau Labuan has one of the best wreck diving sites in Asia. There are four wreck sites around the island, locally known as The "Australian" Wreck, The "American" Wreck, The "Blue Water" Wreck and The "Cement" Wreck. The American wreck is about 24km south of Labuan and southeast of Pulau Rusukan Kecil. The Australian wreck lies 21 metres under water about 23km from Labuan and southwest of Pulau Rusukan Besar. The Cement wreck, lying 30 metres deep, is about 21km from Labuan and east of Pulau Kuraman. This ship transported cement to Brunei for the Sultan’s new palace when it hit the Semarang Bank and sank. Another wreck, the Blue Water Wreck, is located about 34km offshore northeast of Kuraman Island.

Sports & Leisure
If you are a water sports fan, you will definitely love Labuan. You can go sports fishing, eco-diving, snorkelling, wreck diving, dinghy sailing, jet skiing and kayaking. Labuan also hosts the International Sea Challenge in May every year, which comprises of three events - the Underwater Treasure Hunt, Jet Sport Challenge and Big Game Fishing Tournament.

Labuan International Sea Sports Complex
The Labuan International Sea Sports Complex is a world class water sports center which covers an area of 5.91 acres. Facilities include a sea sports center, marine museum, souvenir shops, eateries and viewing tower. It is also the venue for the annual Labuan International Sea Challenge.

Culinary Delights
Labuan is well known for its fresh and delicious seafood. Many of the mouth-watering seafood cuisine offered here, like steamed fish, spicy squid, grilled prawns, spicy crabs, shellfish and much more are also considered extremely cheap. There are also restaurants that specialize in Malaysian, Chinese and Western cuisine.

Shopping & Nightlife
Labuan is a shopping paradise because it is a duty-free port. It is also happy hours all day long on this island as the many pubs and lounges around the town serve duty free priced drinks.

The many stores around duty-free Labuan carry a wide range of goods, both local and imported and all very inexpensive. Textiles are very popular with both foreign visitors and domestic tourists. Ready-to-wear garments, bags, shoes, accessories, electric and electronic goods, locally-made and imported chocolates, candy and biscuits, embroidered linen, teakwood furniture, Chinese ceramics and jade carvings, ethnic Indian goods, Filipino craftwork, the range will make any shopper spoilt for choice.

Every weekend the street of Jalan OKK Awang Besar is the site of the Labuan Weekend Tamu which features handicraft, fashion wear, accessories, agricultural produce and lots more.

Tourism Information Centre

Labuan Tourist Information Centre
Lot 4260, Jalan Dewan / Berjaya,
87008 Federal Territory of Labuan Malaysia
Tel: (6087) 423445  
Fax: (6087) 423446