Exploring Pearl of Borneo: Labuan

Exploring Labuan, the Pearl of Borneo

Text & Images by HADY ARMEEN

When talking about holiday destinations in Malaysian Borneo, surely everyone will talk about Sabah and Sarawak. But did you know there is another territory belongs to Malaysia that is still under the travellers’ radar? This territory, which earns the title of Pearl of Borneo and offers a myriad of tourism delights, is none other than the Federal Territory of Labuan!

Read on to find out what Labuan has offer!

Labuan’s Chimney Tower is one of the island’s magnificent landmarks.

Gasing Borneo I was able to feel for myself the experience of playing one of the traditional games in Labuan called Gasing Borneo, which is loosely translated as ‘Borneo traditional top spinning’. I went to Kampung Bukit Kuda, one of the villages in Labuan to play this game. There are three types of gasing and the way to play each one of them is different. Among the gasing played are Gasing Borneo (also known as Gasing Tanah), Gasing Pangkah and Gasing Kaca. Playing gasing requires different techniques and practice. To play Gasing Tanah, I need to tie the string on the top tightly to make it easier to play. After being tied, the top is thrown on the ground. The top that spins the longest wins. As for Gasing Pangkah, just like Gasing Tanah, it needs to be tied tightly. But the top must be thrown towards the opponent’s top to stop its movement. The last top to remain spinning is the winner. Meanwhile, Gasing Kaca is played by lifting the spinning top using a stick shaped like a ladle (called ‘siut’ technique) and then the player needs to balance it on top of the glass.

Muzium Labuan Initially, the building where Muzium Labuan (Labuan Museum) was a British administrative office that was built in 1950s during the era of British colonial rule. In 2004, this building began opening to the public after converted into a museum, which is divided into two levels: the lower level covers the pre-historic era; the reign of the Sultan of Brunei; the arrival of the British; the Second World War; independence; and the formation of the Federal Territory up until the establishment of the Labuan Corporation. On the upper level, the exhibits highlight the socio-cultural and socio-economic aspects of the local communities found in the Federal Territory of Labuan such as Brunei-Malay, Kadayan, Chinese, Kadazan-Dusun, Indian and Sikh races.

Labuan War Cemetry This cemetery is a tribute to the soldiers who died in the Second World War throughout Borneo. Among all of soldiers stationed in Labuan, 3,908 of them died during the war. The soldiers hailed from various parts of the world: Australia, United Kingdom, India, New Zealand and even Malaysia. Every year, on 11 November at 11 o’clock, there is a ceremony to commemorate these fallen soldiers.

Desa Tunas Hijau Those who prefer a holiday with various activities to do should head to Desa Tunas Hijau. There are various available and unique types of accommodation here, among them are Chalet Twin Room, and Pine Cabin. However. the most interesting are the Log cabin, Treehouse and Glamping Dome. Most importantly, all accommodation units have en suite toilets! The activities available are suitable for families with small children as well as adults. Among them are kayaking, playing paddle boat, driving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and riding the train around the area. The train stops at one location where you can make friends with the mascot Gorillas and even Dinosaurs! In addition, there are animal replicas that move and make sounds for children’s enjoyment!

Kampung Bebuloh Laut, Labuan This village is popular for selling high quality dried anchovies. We had the chance to stop by at one of the dried anchovy suppliers, Salinang Maju Enterprise, to learn about this marine-based product. This enterprise began in 2015 and now manufactures products based on dried anchovies like fried sambal (spicy condiment made from the mixture of dried anchovies and chilli), which comes in a variety of flavours.

Muzium Chimney This museum showcases the early history of Tanjung Kubong and coal mining in Labuan. The nearby Chimney Tower is an icon since coal mining heyday and considered as the pride of Labuan. A chimney is a straight vertically stacked structure that rises high. The exact reason why this 106-foot stack of red bricks with typical British architecture was erected remains a mystery as there are no traces of smoke or burning to indicate that it was used as a chimney. Besides Labuan, there are other chimney towers that are found in Perak, Selangor, Sarawak and Terengganu too.

Among the places, you can stay in Labuan:

Palm Beach Resort & Spa Address: 700, 87014 Labuan, Labuan Federal Territory No Phone: 087-418 700 Website: https://www.palmbeachresortspa.com/

Lazenda Hotel Address: Block C & D, Lazenda Centre, Jalan OKK Abdullah, 87007 Labuan No Phone: 087-580 800 Website: https://www.lazendahotel.com/

Tiara Labuan Hotel Address: Jalan Tanjung Batu, 87007 Labuan No Phone: 087-414 300 Website: https://www.tiaralabuan.com/

Clockwise from above: Checking the dried anchovies as preparation for the next process at Salinang Maju Enterprise in Kampung Bebuloh Laut; The writer standing in front of the Tree House, which is one of the accommodation units at Desa Tunas Hijau; Playing the traditional Borneo top-spinning at Kampung Bukit Kuda.