By - FARID WAHAB
Email - faridfreddy92@gmail.com
LABUAN is not known as a tourist attraction in Malaysia.
When one plans a vacation, this small island rarely makes the list of consideration.
But my visit proved that this place has plenty to offer those looking for a relaxing yet activity-packed holiday.
Located off the coast of Sabah, this quaint island is steeped in history and culture, waiting to be discovered.
Of its 99,400 population, majority are made off the Kedayan ethnic and Bruneian Malay.
Visitors from the Peninsular could fly in to the Labuan Airport and those from Sabah can take a boat from Menumbok, a journey which would take 20 minutes.
Water village
Kampung Air Patau-Patau offers a scenic view and a insight into the lives of the Bruneian Malay community.
This fishing village hosts some 150 houses, all of which are connected by an extensive network of wooden bridges.
The word “patau” refers to the wooden stilts which are buried deep within the seabed, supporting the village.
The settlement was setup in 1930s, when the Malays and some Kedayans decided to make a living as fishermen here.
That tradition has continued to this day.
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Kampung Air Patau-Patau of Labuan hosts some 150 houses supported by wooden stilts which are buried deep within the seabed. |
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Various activities are available here for visitors. |
Norlela Kasim who runs a homestay business here said the village regularly receives tourists.
“Majority of them are from the peninsular and Australia, though there are also tourists from other places,” she said.
Norlela said plenty of activities await visitors at this village.
“They can fish and have what they caught cooked by the locals for a price.
“They can also rent a boat and sail to the sea and experience first-hand how our fishermen catch fish and crabs."
Lela’s homestay charges RM80 and RM65 for air-conditioned and fan rooms respectively per night.
Another homestay owner Ardillah Arsat hopes a cultural centre could be built in the village.
“The Bruneian Malay has many traditional dances, which offer great potential as a tourism product.
“The cultural centre will be a good place to showcase our tradition and culture to the visitors," he said.
Unique food and culture
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Ambuyat is a traditional delicacy among the Kedayans and has a cultural significance |
There is no better way to learn about a people and their culture other than through their food.
Ambuyat is the traditional dish of the Kedayan and it has some cultural significance.
It is normally served at weddings to honour guests and during the paddy harvest seasons.
It is made by gently mixing sago with hot water and eaten by using a pair of small sticks called candas.
Ambuyat is eaten with a sauce made by mixing the local fruit bambangan is was diced and flavoured with belacan, salt, sugar, lime juice and some vinegar.
It can also be eaten with other dishes.
As for performance arts, some Kedayans still practise merukun where the men sing and dance, while women play the drums and gongs.
Hasnah Sambas, 77, of Kampung Tanjung Aru who runs a local performance group, is still active in promoting the arts.
“It is important that this tradition is passed down to the next generation so that it is not lost to time.
“We also receive regular invitations to perform in Sabah and Sarawak," she said.
However, there are some taboos related to merukun - it cannot be held on Friday night, during Ramadan or on the nights of Israk and Mikraj and Nisfu Syaaban.
It can also only be held after the night prayer (Isyak) and must end before the dawn prayer (Subuh).
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Merukun is a performance arts and efforts must be made to ensure its is passed down to the next generation. |
Historical legacy
In the early 1900s, coal mining activity was at its height in Labuan, operated by the British North Borneo Chartered Company.
The 32.5m chimney at a museum in Tanjung Kubong that has stood there since that time offers insight into its industrial past.
The name suggests it was used as a smoke chimney but there were no traces of soot detected inside the structure.
Some locals claimed it was to provide ventilation to mining workers in the underground tunnel back in the day, but excavation works had found no such tunnel.
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The Chimney Museum in Tanjung Kubong offers insight into Labuan's industrial past. |
Other locals claimed it was a watchtower to observe ship arrivals.
To this day, its use was never clear which made it somewhat of a mystery.
Feel free to take your pick.
According to locals, the word kubong refers to the flying lemurs which were found here.
Pristine beaches
Yet undisturbed by excessive development, Labuan beaches offer a great escape from the hectic city life.
One such beach is the 9km stretch of the Batu Manikar beach.
This panoramic beach is a perfect place for relaxing and recreational activities.
The rythmic sound of the water sloshing onto the rocks, coupled with the cool breeze is enough to calm your mind.
The strong breeze also makes for a perfect kite-flying spot.
And if you are feeling adventurous, hop on the perahu larai.
This is a recreational boating service that normally operates from 8am to 6.30pm and charges RM15 per person.
Keep in mind that Labuan runs out of daylight faster, so do plan ahead.
Iconic bird park
The Labuan Bird Park is home to over 600 birds, comprising 39 Bornean and 28 exotic species.
This park also serves as a conservancy and research centre for endangered bird species.
Labuan Veterinary Services Department director Dr Marysia James said the park wants to arrest the rapid decline in the endangered species population.
“We breed some of the birds before releasing them back into the wilderness. On average, we managed to breed 30 birds annually,” she said.
The Star reported on Sept 19, 2019, that this 6.1ha bird park would receive 230 new birds from the Federal Territories Ministry.
Between April to July every year, some migratory birds will fly and make their nest here.
Visitors will have an opportunity to live-feed them at the 1km bird trail here.
Entrance fees are RM3 (adults), RM2 (children) and RM5 (foreigners).
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