Labuan

Labuan formerly known as Victoria island is, since 1946, a territory of Malaysia being part of the state of Sabah. Labuan island is located off the northwest coast of Borneo, north of Brunei Bay and faces the South China Sea.  It comprises one main island (75 sq.km.), Pulau Labuan, and six other smaller ones (Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Daat, Pulau Rusukan Besar, Pulau Rusukan Kecil, Pulau Papan and Pulau Burung) off the coast of Sabah, and Brunei. The islands have a total population of 75,000 and are best known as an offshore banking center. In Malay,it is called Pulau Labuan (Labuan in Malay means anchorage).

It is located approximately 10 km southeast off the coast of the East Malaysian state of Sabah.  Labuan is only 8km or twenty minute boat ride from Menumbok, a small fishing town in Sabah.  The boat trip from Negara Brunei Darussalam takes about 1 hour.  In 1984, Labuan was made part of the Federal Territory of Malaysia and 6 years later in 1990 it was declared and still is an International Offshore Financial Centre (IOFC).

 

Updated On: 15.02.09