Labuan
369717
224980386
2008-07-11T08:19:43Z
219.93.152.4
/* Politics */
{{Infobox City |official_name = Labuan
|other_name = لابوان
|motto = ''' '''
|website = http://www.pl.gov.my/
|image_skyline =
|image_flag = Flag of Labuan.svg
|image_seal = Perbadanan Labuan.jpg
|image_map = Labuan FT locator.PNG
|map_caption = Location in [[Malaysia]]
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[States of Malaysia|State]]
|subdivision_name = [[Malaysia]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Federal Territory|Wilayah Persekutuan]]
|established_title = Made into<br />Federal<br />Territory
|established_date = [[16 April]] [[1984]]
|leader_title = Administered by
|leader_name = Perbadanan Labuan <br />Labuan Corporation
|leader_title1 = [[Chairman]]
|leader_name1 = [[Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman]]
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_sq_mi =
|area_total_km2 = 92
|population_as_of = 2007
|population_total = 85,000 (est)
|population_density_sq_mi =
|population_density_km2 =
|timezone = [[Malaysian Standard Time|MST]]
|utc_offset = +8
|timezone_DST = Not observed
|elevation_m =
|elevation_ft =
|latd = 5
|latm = 19
|lats = 13.16
|latNS = N
|longd = 115
|longm = 12
|longs = 40.42
|longEW = E
|footnotes =<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 0 0 0 0; background: #f9f9f9;">
<tr><td>'''[[Mean solar time]]'''</td><td>UTC+06:46:40</td></tr>
</table>
}}
'''Labuan''' is the main island of the [[Malaysia]]n '''Federal Territory of Labuan'''. Labuan is best known as an [[Offshore Financial Centre|offshore financial centre]] and a tourist destination for nearby [[Brunei]]ans and [[scuba diving|scuba divers]]. The name Labuan derives from the Malay word ''labuhan'' meaning anchorage.
== Geography ==
The [[Federal Territory]] of Labuan comprises Labuan Island (75 km²) and six other smaller islands (Pulau Burung, Pulau Daat, [[Kuraman island|Pulau Kuraman]], Pulau Papan, Pulau Rusukan Kecil, and Pulau Rusukan Besar), which have a combined total area of 92 km². The islands lie 8 km off the coast of [[Borneo]], adjacent to the [[States of Malaysia|Malaysian state]] of [[Sabah]] and the independent state of [[Brunei|Brunei Darussalam]], on the northern edge of [[Brunei Bay]] facing the [[South China Sea]]. Labuan Island is mainly flat and undulating and the highest point is only 85 metres. Over 70 percent of the island is still covered with vegetation. [[Victoria, Labuan|Bandar Labuan]], formerly known as Victoria, is the major town and [[port]] and faces Brunei Bay. Currently, the Federal Territory of Labuan is divided into 8 administrative districts:
* Kampung Tanjung Aru Nelayan
* Batu Arang
* [[Batu Manikar]]
* [[Bandar Labuan]]
* [[Layang-Layangan]]
* [[Lubok Temiang]]
* [[Rancha-Rancha]]
* [[Kiamsam]]
* Kg. Tanjong Kubong
* Kg. Bukit Kalam
* Kg. Kerupang
== History ==
[[Image:Federal Territory of Labuan.svg|230px|thumb|right|Labuan Island and outlying islands]]
Labuan was a part of the [[Brunei]] Sultanate.
In [[1840]] the [[British Empire|British]] used the previously-uninhabited island as a base for operations against [[piracy]] and later as a station for the [[submarine cable]] between [[Singapore]] and [[Hong Kong]]. The [[Sultan of Brunei]] ceded Labuan to Britain in [[1846]], and the island became a [[Crown Colony]] in [[1848]]. It was made a part of [[North Borneo]] on [[1 January]] [[1890]], then on [[30 October]] [[1906]] joined to the [[Straits Settlements]]. The first [[White Rajah]] of [[Sarawak]], [[James Brooke]] was appointed commander-in-chief and Governor of the new territory.
During [[World War II]], Labuan was occupied by [[Empire of Japan|Japan]] from December [[1941]] to June [[1945]] and governed as part of the Northern Borneo military unit by the [[Japanese 37th Army]]. Labuan was renamed '''Maida Island''' (Pulau Maida, 前田島 [''Maeda-shima'']) after [[Marquess|Marquis]] [[Toshinari Maeda]], the first commander of Japanese forces in northern Borneo. The island was retaken by [[Australia]]n forces in [[Operation Oboe Six]], in June 1945. Labuan assumed its former name and was under British military administration (along with the rest of the [[Straits Settlements]]), then joined to [[North Borneo|British North Borneo]], on [[15 July]] [[1946]], which in turn became a part of [[Malaysia]] as the state of [[Sabah]] in [[1963]].
In [[1984]], Labuan was ceded by Sabah to the federal government and made a federal territory. In [[1990]], it was declared an international offshore financial centre and [[free trade zone]].
== Politics ==
== Defence ==
Defence is the responsibility of the federal government, with naval patrol vessels, a garrison and an air detachment based on the island. The local Police Force maintains everyday law and order. The Coast Guard and Customs and Excise have a relatively strong presence on Labuan, due to the nature of its economic status as a Federal Territory, international offshore financial centre and free trade zone.
== Population ==
The ethnic composition in 2000 in Labuan was: [[Malay people|Malay]]/[[Bumiputra]] mainly Brunei Malay and Kedayan(60,549 or 77.92%), [[Malaysian Chinese|Ethnic Chinese]] (12,019 or 15.47%), [[Malaysian Indian|Ethnic Indian]] (989 or 1.28%), Other (4,143 or 5.33%).
== Attractions and places of interest ==
There are several attractions and places of interest on Labuan. The military cemetery contains various war graves and memorials to the fallen of [[World War II]]. This includes British, Australian, Indian, Sarawakian, Bruneian, North Borneo and Empire troops. There is also a memorial celebrating the surrender of the Japanese to the Australian Forces in 1945. There are also remnants of Labuan's history as a [[Royal Navy]] [[Coaling station]], including 'the chimney', a well known local landmark. There is a [[Labuan Maritime Museum]].
Labuan is also the base for diving on four popular wreck dives: the Cement wreck, the American wreck, the Australian wreck and the Blue Water wreck. [http://www.panagadivers.com/Wrecks/Labuan.htm]]
Labuan has many schools. However, it has only one international school, Labuan International School. [http://www.labuantourism.com.my/aboutlabuan/school.htm].Other places of interest to visit such as Labuan International Sea Sport Complex at Jalan Tg. Purun.Newly proposed places is the Marina centre and Labuan Square project which is expected to be completed in next two years from 2008.
== Postage stamps and postal history ==
[[Image:Stamp Labuan 1885 2c.jpg|right|120px|thumb|1885 2c, used in 1891]]
A [[post office]] was operating in Labuan by [[1864]], and used a circular date stamp as [[postmark]]. The [[postage stamp]]s of [[India]] and [[Hong Kong]] were used on some mail, but they were probably carried there by individuals, instead of being on sale in Labuan. Mail was routed through Singapore. From [[1867]] Labuan officially used the [[postage stamp]]s of the Straits Settlements, then issued its own beginning in May [[1879]].
The first stamps of Labuan depict the usual profile of [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]], but are unusual for being inscribed in Arabic and Chinese scripts in addition to "LABUAN POSTAGE". Perennial shortages necessitated a variety of [[surcharge]]s in between the several reprints and color changes of the 1880s. The original stamps were engraved, but the last of the design, in April [[1894]], were done by [[lithography]].
Beginning in May 1894, the designs of North Borneo were printed in different colors, with "LABUAN" either engraved into the vignette or overprinted. On [[24 September]] [[1896]], the 50th anniversary of the cession was marked by overprinting "1846 / JUBILEE / 1896" on the overprinted North Borneo designs. Additional overprints appeared through the 1890s. In [[1899]] many types were surcharged with a value of 4 cents.
A last Labuan-only design came out in [[1902]], depicting a crown and inscribed "LABUAN COLONY". After the incorporation into the Straits Settlements in 1906, Labuan ceased issuing its own stamps, although they remained valid for some time. Many of the remainders were [[cancelled to order]] for sale to collectors, and are now worth only pennies; genuine postal uses are worth much more.
==Reading==
*''The history of Labuan Island (Victoria Island)'' (1996) [[Stephen R. Evans]], Abdul Rahman Zainal and Rod Wong Khet Ngee. Singapore: Calendar Print
== External links ==
Government
*[http://www.pl.gov.my/ Labuan Corporation]
*[http://www.wp.icu.gov.my/ State Development Office]
*[http://www.labuantourism.com.my/ Labuan Tourism]
*[http://www.labuanfm.net.my/ Labuan FM - Suara Pesisir Anda]
*[http://lis.labuan.net/ Labuan International School]
*[http://www.lofsa.gov.my/ Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority]
Community
*[http://www.labuan.net/ Labuan Online Community]
*[http://www.labuan2u.net/ Labuan Community Web Portal]
Entertainment
*[http://www.popin-labuan.com/ Labuan Entertainment Center]
Banking
*[http://www.aob-labuan.com/ Association of Banks Labuan]
Trust Companies
*[http://www.altc.org.my/ Association of Labuan Trust Companies]
*[http://www.noblehouse-labuan.com/ Noblehouse International Trust Ltd.]
Unit Trust
*[http://www.ectrustco.com/ ECTrust]
*[http://www.itmcfiduciary.com/ ITMC Fiduciary]
{{Labuan}}
{{States and Federal Territories of Malaysia}}
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