From ancient caves to modern federation: the complex, contested history of Sabah

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Sabah’s story spans 30,000 years, moving from prehistoric cave-dwellers to a strategic prize for competing sultanates and colonial powers. Today, it remains a focal point of international diplomacy, defined by its unique integration into Malaysia and a persistent, unresolved territorial claim that continues to spark modern-day protests.

Human history in Sabah is remarkably deep, with archaeological findings in the Mansuli Valley and Lipasu Village suggesting settlement as early as 235,000 and 200,000 years ago. By the Last Glacial Maximum, about 20,000 years ago, the region was part of the Sundaland landmass, connecting Borneo to mainland Asia. Later, around 5,000 years ago, Austronesian migrations introduced the ancestors of indigenous groups like the Murut and Kadazan-Dusun. By the 15th century, the region fell under the influence of the Sultanate of Brunei, which later ceded eastern territories to the Sultan of Sulu in 1704.

The late 19th century transformed Sabah into a colonial asset. In 1878, the Sultan of Sulu granted a concession for eastern holdings to a British syndicate, while the Sultan of Brunei ceded the west. These rights were consolidated under the British North Borneo Chartered Company, leading to Sabah becoming a British protectorate in 1888. During World War II, the region suffered under Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945, marked by the tragic Sandakan Death March, where most of the 2,504 Allied prisoners perished.

Post-war, Sabah became a Crown colony before joining the federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963. This union was not without friction; it faced the Indonesian confrontation and internal rebellions. Furthermore, the Philippines maintains a long-standing claim to eastern Sabah, citing the 1878 agreement as a lease rather than a cession. This dispute remains active, with the Philippines reaffirming its position at the United Nations in March 2025, prompting a firm diplomatic rejection from Kuala Lumpur, which maintains that Sabah’s status is settled through the exercise of self-determination.

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