The Sabah Society

Photo Exchange and Get-To-Know
2025-08-15 19:00 - 21:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Join us this Friday (15 Aug 2025) for an evening of fellowship and remembrance of our Gaya Island Hike. We will be showcasing slides from the hike while facilitating a photo exchange amongst those who wish to share their photos with each other.

Gaya Island Hike
2025-08-02 07:00 - 12:00 | Sabah
Join us as we hike to the highest point on Gaya Island to enjoy great views and good company!

Sandokan: The "Hero of Marudu" in Italian Literature
2025-07-25 20:00 - 22:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Sandokan is a 19th century hero who fought the British invaders. In a book written by the Italian Author Emilio Salgari (1862-1911) Sandokan is a contemporary of the 19th century hero of Marudu, Syarif Osman. Both hail from the area that is today called Sabah. Dr Gerlich traces the history of these two figures in Sabah’s past.

Kinarut Vanilla Farm Educational Trip
2025-07-19 10:00 - 11:30 | https://maps.app.goo.gl/5ohsr2faCRmH7zUC7
An educational visit to the idyllic Vanilla Farm in Kinarut, just south of the capital, Kota Kinabalu. The purpose of this trip is to learn about vanilla agriculture and how it commercially sustains itself as a viable agribusiness in Sabah.

KK's "Street Kids": Whose Trauma?
2025-07-08 20:00 - 22:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Whose trauma is truly being addressed in policy responses and in public discourse regarding street kids? Dr Sanen Marshall and Dr Ayesah Uy Abubakar explore whether popular labeling and representation perpetuates derogatory stereotypes or reflects social realities.

Symbolic Representation of Sabah
2025-06-19 20:00 - 22:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Jared works closely with the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture (MOTAC), the National Cultural Council (Majlis Kebudayaan Negara, MAKEN) is an independent advisory council with the purpose to develop, to grow and to empower the nation’s arts, culture and heritage, in accordance with the Dasar Kebudayaan Negara (DAKEN) 2021.

Jared aims to refine cultural perceptions of symbolic and artistic representation of Sabah. This talk is part of an ongoing effort to ensure appropriate cultural representation.

Rethinking Economic Development: Adapt Or Be Left Behind
2025-05-16 20:00 - 22:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
While other countries are reaping the benefits of new technologies and human resources, Sabahans are struggling to keep up. Too reliant on tourism, palm oil, and fossil fuel production as sources of state revenue, Augustine reimagines what economic policies will look like to enable sustainable development.

A Sabahan World Feeling and Its Outlook on Governmentality
2025-04-29 20:00 - 22:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Despite having formed Malaysia in 1963, Sabah has undergone several transitions of governmental systems. The last 500 years of history compels us ask how much of a world feeling does a Sabahan outlook draw upon? Adi answers these question in his upcoming talk with TSS.

Montfort Youth Training Centre - Real life & Real skills for youth | Thur 27 Mar
2025-03-27 20:00 - 21:30 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Mr Joseph Tek Choon Yee, Member of the Board of Governors of MYTC will talk on the history of MYTC and recount how MYTC equips youths from underprivileged backgrounds with skills gained through vocational training to make a better life for themselves.

Overriding MA63: The Malayan " Social Contract" | Datuk Dr Johan Ariffin
2025-03-13 20:00 - 21:30 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Author of ‘Unequal Partners’ and ‘Revisiting the Social Contract’ – Datuk Dr Johan Ariffin.
The concept of a ‘social contract’ has been manipulated by Peninsular politicians to override the provisions of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). This notion, which was originally a quid pro quo arrangement among leaders of the three major communities (Malay, Chinese, Indians) during the formation of the Federation of Malaya, has been politically weaponized to pressure non-Malays, particularly those in Sabah and Sarawak, into compliance. However, the so-called social contract had no connection to the Borneo states. Over time, it has been misapplied to these regions, serving to entrench Malay hegemony under the guise of ‘Ketuanan Melayu.’ This distortion not only undermines the historical context but also perpetuates an inequitable narrative in Sabah and Sarawak.

THE SETTLEMENT OF A LOWER LABUK KAMPUNG 1925-1975 | Dr Elizabeth Koepping
2025-02-21 20:00 - 21:30 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Dr Elizabeth is an anthropologist who has studied and obtained cultural anthropology degrees from Edinburgh, Manchester and Queensland and is trained in theology from Oxford. She taught anthropology and education in Queensland and Melbourne and then in Heidelberg, Germany. Her PhD thesis was titled “Too Hot, Too Cold, Just Right: Social Relations in a Kadazan Village in Sabah, Malaysia.” Her work in Sabah focuses on the culture of natives as well as the relationships between people in a domestic setting.

Members Night | Thur 16 Jan 2025 @ 6.30PM
2025-01-16 18:30 - 20:30 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
It’s time to celebrate you! Join us on TSS Member’s Night for a santai makan as our President, Edwin Liew, will be sharing his journey through the Trans-Siberian Railway! There will be light meals prepared for everyone. Do come to the Sabah Society Secretariat this coming January 16, 2025, Thursday!

Let us know if you are joining so the food is enough ✨🙏🏽🫶🏼 013-8809850

The illegals in Sabah - My untold story | Tan Sri Datuk Chong Kah Kiat, former CM of Sabah
2025-01-09 20:00 - 21:30 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
SEAT RESERVATION CLOSE

SEAT RESERVATION CUT-OFF POINT

Dur to overwhelming response, to everyone who has reserved a seat for Tan Sri Datuk Chong Kah Kiat’s talk, please take note that TSS will hold the reserved seats onlu until 7.45PM. After this time, the seats will be opened to walk in guests.

How did it all begin, and why has Sabah, in particular, faced an influx of PTIs (Pendatang Tanpa Izin) over the years? I have taken steps to address this issue by personally entering the field (turun Padang) to engage directly with the community. Along the way, I encountered many challenges, experienced rewards, and faced some regrets. My story concludes with a reflection on what we, as Sabahans, can collectively do to tackle these ongoing issues.

Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat was the 13th Chief Minister of Sabah from March 2001 – March 2003. Tan Sri Chong’s short stint as Chief Minister was pre-occupied with the 3 challenges of his Chief Ministership namely [llegal immigrants, illegal loggings and illegal fish bombings in Sabah.

Tan Sri Chong retired from active politics since 2007 and will be sharing his story of his crusade in addressing the influx of illegal immigrants into Sabah when he was the Chief Minister of Sabah.

It will be held at The Secretariat The Sabah Society, Damai Plaza. To secure your seats please contact 013-8809850 or at email sabahsoc@gmail.com

Book - The illegals in Sabah my untold story
2025-01-09 20:00 - 21:00 | Sabah
We have on sale the above book at RM50 per copy in both languages English and BM. It will be signed by author TS Datuk Chong Kah Kiat himself. You can pre book your copy here 013 8809850

NB WW2 History: Selected bombing mission by the Allied forces | Avtar Singh
2024-12-05 20:00 - 21:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
In May and June 1945 during the Second World War, specific bombing and strafing missions were carried out by allied forces against several district namely Kota Belud, Kudat, Ranau, Inanam, Jesselton, Pensiangan, Tenom, and Kinarut in North Borneo/ Sabah.

These missions were planned according to allied intelligence information.

I will be sharing never been seen before mission reports and photographs of the actual bombings/strafing’s of these towns from those who participated in these missions, including estimated battle damage on structures and buildings.

This will give the audience a better understanding of why missions and targets were selected and what transpired in a small number of flight operations over North Borneo/Sabah and how North Borneo/ Sabah ultimately became the most heavily bombed British territory in Malaya and Borneo.

Gaya Street ~ Doing it in style | Team Bergaya (Rosemary Chin) | 26 Nov
2024-11-26 20:00 - 22:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
If you think you know Gaya Street, then think again!

Walk with us around the corners, and through the alleys, and up the stairs, and down again.

Join us on a magical mystery tour. We promise you won’t be disappointed.

The diaries of Alexander Rankin Johnstone Dunlop, 1897 - 1907 | Stella Moo-Tan
2024-11-20 20:00 - 21:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Arguably the youngest cadet to serve in the British North Borneo Chartered Company, AR Dunlop’s life and 46-year career in British North Borneo is extraordinary to say the least. His diaries give us a glimpse of the early part of the British administration where among other things, he was involved in the pursuit of Mat Salleh who posed the most serious challenge to British rule.

His diaries are also infused with sketches of many local people and places, showing Dunlop’s artistic talent.

The Artistic legacy of William Pretyman | Mohd Shari
2024-10-17 20:00 - 21:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
The collections of scenic pencil sketches and watercolour of North Borneo made by William Pretyman, the West Coast Resident at Tampasuk in the late 19th century (1878-1880).

Pictures are for sale on that night

Annual General Meeting 2024
2024-10-17 18:30 - 21:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Dear members,

Kindly please take note of our AGM which is on Thursday 17 Oct 2024 at 6.30pm. This will be followed by a talk at 8pm. More details on talk will be out soon.

Your attendance is much appreciated as this will ensure that the Society will be able to move forward.

A gentle reminder to all members to please renew your membership fees RM75 for voting eligibility.

See you.

Rachel Yee

Honorary Secretary 2023-2024

Searching for Borneo in British Museums | Dr Jennifer Morris
2024-09-10 20:00 - 21:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Dr Jennifer R. Morris is the Borneo Early Career Research Fellow in the Department of Asia at the British Museum. She is a historian and museologist trained at the universities of Cambridge, Leicester and Singapore, and specialises in the history of museums and collecting in Borneo. She has previously contributed towards the development of the Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching as part of the Sarawak Museum Fellowship Programme, and curated the virtual exhibition ‘Plant People: Unearthing Botany in Sarawak’ for the Friends of Sarawak Museum.t

Podcast - What's the story of our History? | Sat 17 Aug 2024 | 4-6PM
2024-08-17 16:00 - 18:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Podcast launch and live podcast recording!

Host – Chris Pereira

Guests – Mohd Shari and Avtar Singh

Episode 1 – The historical aspect of the Sulu claim

Limited to 20 paxs

Canon photography sharing | Alric Goh | 16 Aug 2024 | 8PM
2024-08-16 20:00 - 21:00 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Are you a beginner in photography? Which DSLR camera should I use? Together lets learn from Alric Goh as he shares his experience in digital photography.

See you at The Sabah Society Secretariat in Damai Plaza on Friday 16 August 2024 at 8PM.

From Logged over denuded forest to Eden Garden | Datuk Dr. Richard Gunting
2024-07-25 20:00 - 21:30 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
See you this Thursday at 8PM at The Secretariat Sabah Society.

Uncovering Syed Kechik's Secret History
2024-06-07 20:00 - 21:30 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
The Sabah Society presents a historical talk on another aspect of Sabah history that has long been forgotten about and that is Syed Kechik.

The historical talk discusses who he was, and how did he become de-facto Chief Minister of Sabah in the early 1970s as well as what was his role in changing the landscape of Sabah politics and economy forever.

We refer to this period historically as a period of the growth of federalism in Sabah.

Avtar Singh presents his 2nd talk on Syed Kechik from a historical perspective and presents historical observations of the time from 1965 to 1976.

These historical observations are meant to stimulate greater discussion and further research on the period between 1967 till 1976 to better understand our own history.

WHO IS AVTAR SINGH?

Avtar Singh spent 24 years in the retail industry as a sponsorship manager and events manager for a major international sporting brand for the Borneo region. He trained as a retail and operations manager before leaving the industry to start a small enterprise to help struggling SME’s conduct business turn-arounds for SMEs in distress.

He began his work and research in history in 2015 and published his first historical book in 2017 on the history of Indian’s serving in the German Army during WW2.

He has since presented talks on the Battle of Midway, the False Narratives of the Sulu Sultanate over Sabah, Piracy, Kidnapping and Slavery of North Borneo Natives by the Sulu Sultanate as well as early Sikh history in North Borneo.

He is the great-great grandson of Bhagat Singh, the first Sikh to have arrived in North Borneo as a policeman in 1868 and is a 5th generation Sabahan.

Born in Kota Kinabalu and having lived overseas in Singapore, Australia and the United States, he is now currently a project researcher with the Goethe Institute of Germany on a project called ‘Borneo Perantis.’

Kabulongou Community-Based Development 3D/2N
2024-05-06 - 2024-05-08 | Sabah
Kabulongou is in Nabawan – about 180km from Kota Kinabalu. The drive will take about 3 hours.

The package is inclusive of: 2 lunches, 2 dinners, 2 breakfast, 2 coffee/tea breaks, community guides, community cooks, 25 fruit seedlings, selected tree seedlings, rooms, farm tour at Munor Aulai Farm, cultural activities/performance by the children from the Romol Village, and some internal logistics.

The package does not include transportation from KK-Nabawan-KK.

For bookings or more information, please do contact us at 013 – 880 9850 (Monica)

Medicinal Plants of North Borneo | Thur 29 Feb 2024
2024-02-29 20:00 - 21:30 | Sabah
Did you know that on the Island of Borneo and specifically here in Sabah we have medicinal plants used by different indigenious ethnic groups for the purpose of public health and to boost local economy?

Associate Prof Christophe Wlart of Institute of Tropical Biology and Conservation, UMS will be here on Thur 29 Feb 2024 to share his vast experience and knowledge on this subject.

Forum | Children’s Rights & Statelessness woes in Sabah
2024-01-18 20:00 - 21:30 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Three knowledgeable speakers – Mary Anne Baltazar, founder of ANAK, Dr Elaine Kong, Unicef Malaysia Sabah and Senior lawyer Priscilla Ruth Marcus will speak on the current issues and solutions to problems.

Mary Anne Baltazar will explain the proposed 2024 Federal Constitution amendment on citizenship that was announced by Home Minister that will adversely affect children of the Indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak who are still stateless or hold the MyPr instead of MyKad.

Dr Elaine Kong will highlight children’s right, well being and participation.

Priscilla Ruth Marcus an expert on Family Law in the context of Sabah will clarify any pertinent legal administrative process from her decades of law pracrise experience.

Members Night
2024-01-18 18:30 - 19:30 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Don’t forget, we have a Fellowship Night & the launching of the 39th TSS Journal on the 18th January 2024

The programme will be as follows:
6:30pm – Arrival & Dinner
7:30pm – Journal Launch
8:00pm – Forum: Children’s Rights & Stateless Woes in Sabah

10 talking points from the secret Australian government files on North Borneo & the formation of Malaysia | Avtar Singh | Thur, 7 Dec 2023 | 8PM
2023-12-07 20:00 - 21:30 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Towards the end of the 1950s, secret discussions were held within the British government and their allies (Australia & the United States) on the possibilities of some form of a union of Malaya, Singapore and the Borneo Territories.

Colonial Officers privately suggested a union of the Borneo Territories only. However, the negotiations of any union were complicated, fraught with distrust, and a complete misunderstanding of the people of Borneo, their cultures and how they lived their lives.

By 1961, due to external pressures from the United Nations and the spread of communism within South East Asia, the British Government had no choice but to force a union which the people of North Borneo clearly did not want.

But what made the representatives of the people of North Borneo (and Sarawak) change their minds and what central role did the United Nations play in forcing this union?

Avtar Singh has been researching secret Australian diplomatic documents and files since January 2023 and has completed the reading of over 9,000 pages of documents over the past 9 months and has selected 10 key talking points not previously known or acknowledged as being central to the reasons why North Borneo had no choice but to participate in the union that led to the formation of Malaysia.

His research also coincides with a book he is currently writing titled “The Thomas Jayasuria Interviews” which will be published in late 2024.

Malaysian Politics in 2023 - Options for The Unity Government | Monday, 13 Nov | Prof James Chin | 11AM
2023-11-13 11:00 - 12:30 | The Sabah Society Secretariat, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88450, Malaysia
Kindly take note on the time – 11AM

James Chin is Professor of Asian Studies and the inaugural Director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania. He is also a Senior Fellow, Jeffrey Cheah Institute, Malaysia; Vice-President, Australian Institute of International Affairs (Tas). He was previously Senior Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS); Salzburg Global Freeman Fellow (US & Austria) and Australia-ASEAN Fellow. Prior to an academic career, he worked as a journalist in Malaysia and Singapore. Prof Chin is the leading scholar on contemporary Sabah and Sarawak, and his views on Malaysia and the surrounding region are sought by leading news agencies like The Economist, CNN, BBC World TV, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, The New York Times, Financial Times, South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia (CNA)
