Complementing its talks and lectures, The Sabah Society also organises public forums to encourage open dialogue on issues of critical importance to Sabah. These forums provide inclusive spaces where community members, policymakers, business leaders, academics, and civil society can come together to exchange views, debate solutions, and reflect on matters that affect both daily life and Sabah’s long-term future.
A notable example was the 2003 forum ‘Gaya Street – Its Future’, which drew wide public interest as it examined the proposal to transform Kota Kinabalu’s main commercial artery into a pedestrian walkway. The panel featured prominent figures including former Chief Minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee, entrepreneur Datuk Ambrose Lee, Kota Kinabalu City Hall Director General Datuk Dr Chua Kim Hing, and moderator Dr Richard Barrow of the Society. Another forum addressed the management of Sipadan, Sabah’s internationally renowned oceanic island, raising important questions about conservation and sustainable tourism.
Notable public forums over the years include:
- 2003 – Gaya Street – Its Future
- 2005 – The Future Management of Sipadan
- 2013 – Formation of Malaysia – Untold Stories of Sabah
- 2023 – Challenges of the Unregistered Population in Sabah
- 2024 – Children’s Rights and Statelessness Woes in Sabah
By hosting such events, the Society affirms its role as a convener of dialogue, creating opportunities for diverse voices to be heard and considered. These forums inform and educate while encouraging active public participation in shaping the policies and practices that influence Sabah’s future.
Through its public forums, The Sabah Society fosters a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility, enabling communities to contribute meaningfully and to engage in the Society’s enduring mission to know Sabah.
