The Sabah Society

21/11/2025

Did you know on 21 Nov 1957, the North Borneo Central Archives were officially set up to preserve Sabah’s colonial records?

The British Crown Colony Secretariat issued a circular to all residents, heads of department, & district officers the next day.

archive.sabah.gov.my/content/history

07/11/2025

Did you know that this day on 7 Nov 1888, assistant resident of Mempakul, Mr. D. D. Daly entered the Padas Damit river with 3 other Company officers, 100 Company police consisting of Sikhs and Dayaks, augmented with Lotuds and Bisayas to quell the Padas Damit Affair?

03/11/2025

Baja Laut — The Sea is Our Home is a poignant documentary by Joo Peter capturing the vanishing way of life and struggles of the sea-dwelling Bajau Laut in Semporna, Sabah. The screening will last 63 minutes which will be followed by discussion with the filmmaker on the social issues that affect the Bajau Laut. Join us for this talk to understand the cultural identity and fragile maritime existence of the Bajau Laut.

01/11/2025

Did you know that on this day, 1 November 1881, the British North Borneo Chartered Company was granted its Royal Charter by the British Crown?

This marked the birth of one of history’s most fascinating company-states in what is today Sabah, Malaysia.

The Charter transformed the British North Borneo Company from a private venture into a chartered company, giving it the right to govern and develop North Borneo under British protection.

In other words: a corporation with powers of a state.

With the Royal Charter, the Company could:
⚖️ Make and enforce laws
🏛️ Establish courts
💰 Collect taxes and issue land titles
🛡️ Maintain a police force
🌍 Sign treaties (with British approval)

All while flying the Union Jack.

North Borneo wasn’t a full British colony yet.

It was a British protectorate: the Company ruled, but the British Foreign Office supervised. A hybrid colony of private enterprise and imperial oversight.

The Company’s rule rested on treaties signed a few years earlier (1877–78) with the Sultans of Brunei and Sulu, who granted territorial rights in return for payments and promises of protection. Britain’s Charter simply made it official.

Leading the effort was Alfred Dent, a British merchant who envisioned turning North Borneo into a tropical hub for trade, agriculture, and migration.

His dream was for a self-financing “model colony” that could operate without the British taxpayer footing the bill.

This model was far from unique when one looks at the history of company-states.
Britain used chartered companies to expand influence cheaply:

British South Africa Company (Cecil Rhodes, 1889)

Imperial British East Africa Company (1888)

North Borneo was Britain’s corporate frontier in Southeast Asia.

Company rule lasted until 1946, when the devastation of World War II bankrupted the Company and North Borneo became a British Crown Colony, thus, ending 65 years of corporate governance.

So, on 1 November 1881, a company became a government.

A charter turned a territory into a jurisdiction.

And the story of modern Sabah began with a seal of incorporation.

01 Nov 2025,
TSS

29/10/2025

Don't forget our talk on Sabahan Ethnic Identities by Dr Trixie Tangit is happening tomorrow night at 8pm in The Sabah Society Secretariat

Sabah’s rich ethnic landscape is shifting. As traditions meet modern life, what happens to identity? In this month’s talk, we explore how Sabahans are adapting to cultural change and how and whether this truly affects ethnic identity. This eye-opening talk invites you to reflect on what it means to belong in a land where identity is both disappearing and transforming. Whether you're Sabahan, Malaysian, or simply curious. Come listen, question, and connect.

23/10/2025

Sabah’s rich ethnic landscape is shifting. As traditions meet modern life, what happens to identity? In this month’s talk, we explore how Sabahans are adapting to cultural change and how and whether this truly affects ethnic identity. This eye-opening talk invites you to reflect on what it means to belong in a land where identity is both disappearing and transforming. Whether you're Sabahan, Malaysian, or simply curious. Come listen, question, and connect.

17/10/2025

Due to election day coinciding with the original date of our Danum Valley trip, the dates have been changed.

Don't miss this opportunity to grab exclusive deals to Danum Valley only available for The Sabah Society! Normally RM 4,450 per pax, TSS have acquired special rates for our members and those who join us only on this occasion. Prices are based on chalet not per pax. Therefore, for triple sharing the price is as low as RM 1,197 per pax.

Mark your calendar with the new dates: 05 Dec 2025 — 07 Dec 2025

14/10/2025

Experience the untouched beauty of Danum Valley on this guided trip. Encounter exotic wildlife, ancient rainforest, and unique eco-adventures in Borneo. Join us for an unforgettable trip and explore Borneo's pristine rainforest, rainwater wildlife, and stunning landscapes.