View source for Labuan

{{Short description|Federal territory of Malaysia}}
{{About|the federal territory and the homonymous island in Malaysia|other uses|Labuan (disambiguation)|the federal constituency represented in the Dewan Rakyat|Labuan (federal constituency)}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2025}}
{{use British English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Labuan
| official_name      = Federal Territory of Labuan<br />{{nobold|''Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan''}}
| settlement_type    = [[States and federal territories of Malaysia|Federal territory]]
| nickname           = {{lang|zsm-Latn-MY|Pulau Mutiara Borneo}}<br />("The Pearl of Borneo"){{force singular}}
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border               = infobox
| total_width          = 300
| image_style          = border:1;
| perrow               = 2/2/1/
| image1               = Labuan Financial Park - 01.JPG
| image2               = Labuan Malaysia War-Cemetery-02.jpg
| image3               = Labuan Malaysia Airport-01.jpg
| image4               = Labuan FerryTerminal.jpg
| image5               = Masjid Jamek Annur, 2021.jpg
| size                 = 300
| spacing              = 1
| color                = transparent
}}
| image_caption      = '''From top, left to right:'''<br />Labuan Financial Park complex, [[Labuan War Cemetery]], [[Labuan Airport]], and Labuan Ferry Terminal, Labuan state mosque
| image_flag         = Flag of Labuan.svg
| image_seal         = Seal of Labuan.svg
| seal_size          = 115
| image_map          = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=8}}
| image_map1         = Labuan in Malaysia (special marker).svg
| map_caption1       = {{center|{{Legend inline|#C41E3A|outline=silver}} '''Labuan''' in {{Legend inline|#FFFDD0|outline=silver}} '''[[Malaysia]]'''}}
| coordinates        = {{coord|05|18|00|N|115|13|12|E|display=inline,title}}
| seat_type          = [[List of national capitals|Capital]]
| seat               = [[Victoria, Labuan|Victoria]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Geographical Dictionary of the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cVQDZFM1T2IC&pg=PA1926|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-7268-012-1|pages=1926–}}</ref>
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{MYS}}
| government_type    = [[Federal territory|Direct federal administration]]
| leader_title       = Administered by
| leader_name        = [[Labuan Corporation]]
| leader_title1      = Chairman
| leader_name1       = [[Anifah Aman]]
| leader_title2      = CEO of Labuan Corporation
| leader_name2       = Mohd Sukuran Bin Taib
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.my/ccount12/click.php?id=2127 |title=Preliminary Count Report 2010 |publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia |page=27 |access-date=24 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708202650/http://www.statistics.gov.my/ccount12/click.php?id=2127 |archive-date= 8 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cone&menu_id=NmZ4RUtKY3ZPblVWZ0VqeXk5SEg1dz09|title=Department of Statistics Malaysia Official Portal|access-date=27 December 2017|archive-date=27 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127213859/https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cone&menu_id=NmZ4RUtKY3ZPblVWZ0VqeXk5SEg1dz09|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| area_total_km2     = 92
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Labuan population">{{cite web |url=https://www.dosm.gov.my/portal-main/release-content/demographic-statistics-first-quarter-2024|title=Demographic Statistics, First Quarter 2024|work=Department of Statistics, Malaysia |access-date=7 August 2024}}</ref>
| population_as_of   = Q1 2024
| population_total   = 102,300
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics1_info1 = 0.847&nbsp;(<span style="color:#090;">very high</span>) ([[List of Malaysian states by Human Development Index|5th]])
| demographics_type1 = [[Human Development Index]]
| demographics1_title1 = HDI (2024)
| timezone           = [[Malaysian Standard Time|MST]]
| utc_offset         = +8
| timezone_DST       = Not observed
| utc_offset1_DST    = +8
| postal_code        = 87xxx
| area_code          = 087
| registration_plate = [[Malaysian vehicle license plates|L]]<br />SL <small>(before becoming FT)</small>
<!-- website, footnotes -------->| footnotes          = 
| website            = {{URL|pl.gov.my}}
}}

'''Labuan''' ({{IPAc-en|l|ə|ˈ|b|uː|ə|n|}}), officially the '''Federal Territory of Labuan''' ({{langx|ms|Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan}}), is an island [[Federal Territories of Malaysia|federal territory]] of Malaysia. It includes {{em|Labuan Island}} and six smaller islands off the coast of the state of [[Sabah]] in East Malaysia. Labuan's capital is [[Victoria, Labuan|Victoria]], which is best known as an [[offshore financial centre]] offering international financial and business services via [[Labuan IBFC]] since 1990, as well as being an offshore support hub for deepwater oil and gas activities in the region. It is also a tourist destination for people travelling through Sabah, nearby [[Brunei]]ans, and [[Scuba diving|scuba divers]]. The name Labuan derives from the [[Malay language|Malay word]] ''labuhan'', which means "harbour".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/cul/texts/ldpd_6769878_000/pages/ldpd_6769878_000_00000209.html|title=Crawfurd, John, A descriptive dictionary of the Indian islands & adjacent countries|publisher=[[Columbia University Libraries]]|date=1856|access-date=29 April 2014|author=Bradbury & Evans|page=203|location=London}}</ref>

==History==
{{Quote box |width=23em |align=right   |bgcolor=#B0C4DE
|title=Historical affiliations
|fontsize=90% |quote=
{{flagicon image|Old Flag of Brunei.svg}} [[Bruneian Empire|Sultanate of Brunei]] 15th century–1846<ref name="lb history"/><ref name="McColl2005"/><br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of the United Kingdom.svg}} [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] 1846–1848<ref name="lb">{{cite web|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/life/2008/09/07/loss_of_labuan_a_former_brunei_island|title=Loss of Labuan, a former Brunei island|author=Rozan Yunos|publisher=[[The Brunei Times]]|date=7 September 2008|access-date=29 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428182303/http://www.bt.com.bn/life/2008/09/07/loss_of_labuan_a_former_brunei_island|archive-date=28 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="lb history"/><br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of Labuan (1912–1946).svg}} [[Crown Colony of Labuan|Labuan Crown]] 1848–1941<ref name="lb history"/><ref name="lbc"/><ref name="Mathews2014"/><br />
{{*}}{{flagicon image|Flag of North Borneo (1902–1946).svg}} [[British North Borneo]] 1890–1904<br />
{{*}}{{flagicon image|Flag of the United Kingdom.svg}} [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] 1904–1906<br />
{{*}}{{flagicon image|Flag of the British Straits Settlements (1904–1925).svg}} [[Straits Settlements]] 1907–1941<ref name="RentonRobertson1908"/><ref name="Office1917"/><br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg}} [[Japanese occupation of British Borneo|Empire of Japan]] 1942–1945<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of North Borneo (1948–1963).svg}} [[Crown Colony of North Borneo|British North Borneo Crown]] 1946–1963<ref name="Kratoska2001"/><br />
{{flag|Malaysia}} 1963–present<ref name="labuan"/>
}}

For three centuries from the 15th century, the north and west coast of [[Borneo]] including the island of Labuan was part of the [[Bruneian Empire|Sultanate of Brunei]].<ref name="lb history">{{cite book|author1=Stephen R. Evans|author2=Abdul Rahman Zainal|author3=Rod Wong Khet Ngee|title=The History of Labuan Island (Victoria Island)|url=http://library.perdana.org.my/Digital_Content/NLM/Batch3/B03_PDF_DVD001/15%20sep/M959.521EVAHistoryOfLabuanVictoriaIsland.pdf|year=1996|publisher=Calendar Print Pte Ltd|isbn=981-00-7764-5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701160652/http://library.perdana.org.my/Digital_Content/NLM/Batch3/B03_PDF_DVD001/15%20sep/M959.521EVAHistoryOfLabuanVictoriaIsland.pdf|archive-date=1 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="McColl2005">{{cite book|author=R. W. McColl|title=Encyclopedia of World Geography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DJgnebGbAB8C&pg=PA123|date=1 January 2005|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-0-8160-7229-3|pages=123–}}</ref> In 1775, Labuan was temporarily occupied by the [[British East India Company]] after the failure of the company's station at [[Balambangan Island]]. The Sultan of Brunei, [[Omar Ali Saifuddin I]] tried to secure the British East India Company's support against the [[Sulu]] raiders by offering Labuan as an alternative to Balambangan but, instead the company made a second but failed attempt to set up a station on Balambangan. The Sultan's subsequent reoffering of Labuan to the company did not result in the establishment of a permanent British settlement on the island either.<ref>B.A. Hussainmiya, Brunei Revival of 1906 A Popular History, Brunei Press Sdn Bhd, Brunei, 2006, p.xi</ref>

British policy changed in the 19th century, when Labuan started to attract British interest again. [[Rodney Mundy|Captain Rodney Mundy]] acquired the island for Britain through the [[Treaty of Labuan]] with the Sultan of Brunei, [[Omar Ali Saifuddin II]] on 18 December 1846.<ref name="Murray">{{cite book|author1=Rodney Mundy|author2=James Brooke|title=Narrative of events in Borneo and Celebes, down to the occupation of Labuan: from the journals of James Brooke, Rajah of Sarãwak, and governor of Labuan, together with a narrative of the operations of H.M.S. Iris|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FB1JAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA367|year=1848|publisher=Murray|pages=367–}}</ref> Mundy took [[Abdul Momin|Pengiran Mumin]] to witness the island's accession to the [[The Crown|British Crown]] on 24 December 1846.<ref name="Saunders2013">{{cite book|author=Graham Saunders|title=A History of Brunei|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DUv8AQAAQBAJ&pg=PA78|date=5 November 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-87394-2|pages=78 & 123}}</ref> Some sources state that during the signing of the treaty, the Sultan had been threatened by a [[Royal Navy|British navy]] warship ready to fire on the Sultan's palace if he refused to sign the treaty while another source says the island was ceded to Britain as a reward for assistance in combating pirates.<ref name="lb"/><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.ubd.edu.bn/academic/faculty/FASS/staff/docs/BAH/revival.pdf |title=Brunei Revival of 1906 (A Popular History) – The Surrender of Labuan and The First Brunei-British Treaty |publisher=[[Universiti Brunei Darussalam]]; Brunei Press Sdn Bhd |date=2006 |access-date=29 April 2014 |author=B.A. Hussainmiya |pages=12/34 |location=[[Bandar Seri Begawan]] |isbn=99917-32-15-2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912112209/http://www.ubd.edu.bn/academic/faculty/FASS/staff/docs/BAH/revival.pdf |archive-date=12 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ttc.edu.sg/csca/rart_doc/treacher1891.pdf |title=British Borneo: Sketches of Brunai, Sarawak, Labuan and North Borneo |publisher=[[Trinity Theological College, Singapore|Trinity Theological College]] |work=[[University of California Libraries]] |date=1891 |access-date=29 April 2014 |author=W. H. Treacher, C.M.G. M.A. Oxon |pages=12 / Chapter VI. Pages 84–92 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011213647/http://www.ttc.edu.sg/csca/rart_doc/treacher1891.pdf |archive-date=11 October 2013 }}</ref>

The main reason why the [[United Kingdom|British]] acquired the island was to establish a naval station to protect their commercial interest in the region and to suppress piracy in the [[South China Sea]].<ref name="lb history"/><ref>{{cite book|author=Henry Keppel|title=The Expedition to Borneo of H. M. S. Dido: 1843 – 1846|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CHVCGKBzhYwC&pg=PA304|year=2009|publisher=BoD – Books on Demand|isbn=978-3-941842-95-3|pages=304–}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes18481014.2.14.aspx|title=The Straits Times, 14 October 1848, Page 3 (Labuan)|publisher=[[National Library Board]]|date=14 October 1848|access-date=29 April 2014|pages=3}}</ref> The British also believed the island could be the next [[Singapore in the Straits Settlements|Singapore]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes18481021.2.14.aspx|title=The Straits Times, 21 October 1848, Page 3 (Labuan)|publisher=National Library Board|date=21 October 1848|access-date=29 April 2014|pages=3}}</ref> Following the [[Anglo-Brunei Treaty of Friendship 1847|Anglo-Brunei Treaty of Friendship]] in 1847, which distilled the aforementioned events into a single document - Labuan was ceded to the British in perpetuity.<ref name=":wright">{{Cite book |last=Wright |first=LR |title=The Origin of British Borneo |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |year=1970 |location=Hong Kong |pages=205}}</ref> The island became a [[Crown Colony of Labuan|Crown Colony]] in 1848 with [[James Brooke]] appointed as the first governor and [[commander-in-chief]], with [[William Napier (lawyer)|William Napier]] as his lieutenant-governor.<ref name="lb history" /><ref name="lbc">{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article709047|title=Opening of the New Colony of Labuan|publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]|work=Sydney Daily Advertiser|date=23 September 1848|access-date=29 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="Mathews2014">{{cite book|author=Philip Mathews|title=Chronicle of Malaysia: Fifty Years of Headline News, 1963–2013|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=md9UAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA15|date=28 February 2014|publisher=Editions Didier Millet|isbn=978-967-10617-4-9|pages=15–}}</ref><ref name="Murray"/> In 1849, the [[Eastern Archipelago Company]] became the first of several British companies to try to exploit Labuan coal deposits.<ref>{{cite book|author=Phillip Cottrell|title=Investment Banking in England 1856–1881(Rle Banking and Finance)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R6rZBqy4X-gC&pg=PA211|date=25 May 2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-53020-0|pages=211–}}</ref> The company was formed to exploit coal deposits on the island and adjacent coast of Borneo but soon became involved in a dispute with [[James Brooke]].<ref name="lb history" /><ref>{{cite book|author=Eastern Archipelago Company|title=The Queen on the Prosecution of Sir James Brooke, K.C.B. Against the Eastern Archipelago Company; Containing the Judgments of the Queen's Bench and the Exchequer Chamber, Together with Two Articles from the "Times" Newspaper, Etc|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gCFYAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA9|year=1853|publisher=W. Clowes & Sons|pages=9–}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Eastern Archipelago Company|title=Annual Report of the Directors of the Eastern Archipelago Company|year=1853|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ls0NAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA149|publisher=Eastern Archipelago Company|pages=149–}}</ref> Not proving itself a great commercial or strategic asset, administration of Labuan was handed to the [[British North Borneo Company]] in 1890.<ref name="OlsonShadle1996">{{cite book|author1=James Stuart Olson|author2=Robert Shadle|title=Historical Dictionary of the British Empire|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f0VnzMelzm8C&pg=PA645|year=1996|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-29367-2|pages=645–}}</ref><ref name="Welman">{{cite book|author=Frans Welman|title=Borneo Trilogy Volume 1: Sabah|date=9 March 2017|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=glG-WBH8hkQC&pg=PA162|publisher=Booksmango|isbn=978-616-245-078-5|pages=162–}}</ref> The North Borneo Company did not prove that effective a manager either, and in 1904 [[Malcolm Stewart Hannibal McArthur]] even proposed handing the island back to Brunei.<ref name="deVienne2015">{{cite book |author1=Marie-Sybille de Vienne |title=Brunei: From the Age of Commerce to the 21st Century |date=2015 |publisher=NUS Press |isbn=9789971698188 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IfpIBwAAQBAJ |page=90}}</ref> In 1894, a [[submarine communications cable]] was built by the British to link the island's communications with [[North Borneo]], Singapore and [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/story.aspx/?sec=l&file=%2f2012%2f1%2f16%2flifefocus%2f20120116083237 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429161634/http://www.thestar.com.my/story.aspx/?sec=l&file=%2F2012%2F1%2F16%2Flifefocus%2F20120116083237 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 April 2014 |title=Staying connected |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] |date=16 January 2012 |access-date=30 April 2014 }}</ref> By 30 October 1906, the British Government proposed to extend the boundaries of the [[Straits Settlements]] to include Labuan. The proposal took effect from 1 January 1907.<ref name="RentonRobertson1908">{{cite book|author1=Alexander Wood Renton|author2=Maxwell Anderson Robertson|author3=Frederick Pollock|author4=William Bowstead|title=Encyclopædia of the laws of England with forms and precedents by the most eminent legal authorities|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7QsyAAAAIAAJ|year=1908|publisher=Sweet & Maxwell}}</ref><ref name="Office1917">{{cite book|author=United States. Hydrographic Office|title=Asiatic Pilot: The coasts of Sumatra and the adjacent straits and islands|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VNQNAQAAMAAJ|year=1917|publisher=Hydrographic office under the authority of the secretary of the navy}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" caption="British conquest of Labuan" |height="100">
Anglo Bruni Treaty 1844.jpg|Anglo Bruneian Treaty 23 Oct 1844<ref>{{cite book|last1=Marryat|first1=Frank|title=Borneo and the Indian Archipelago with Drawings of Costume and Scenery|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=XM5CAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PA114&hl=en|year=1848|publisher=Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans|isbn=9789810588304 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Belcher|first1=Edward|title=Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Samarang, During the Years 1843-46; Employed surveying the Islands of the Eastern Archipelago Vol. 1|year=1848 |publisher=Reeve, Benham, and Reeve |url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=jotKAAAAYAAJ&pg=GBS.PA174}}</ref>

Treaty_of_Labuan1846_dec18_outside.jpg|Marines stationed outside the Sultan's palace during the signing of the 1846 Treaty of Labuan<ref name="John Murray">{{cite book|last1=Mundy|first1=Rodney|title=Narrative of Events in Borneo and Celebes, down to the Occupation of Labuan: from the Journals of James Brooke, Esq. Vol. 1|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=FB1JAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PA294-IA2&hl=en|year=1848|publisher=John Murray}}</ref>

Treaty_of_Labuan1846.jpg|Signing of the Treaty of Labuan 18 Dec 1846<ref name="John Murray"/>

Ceremony of Hoisting the British Flag on the island of Labuan, N. W. Coast of Borneo.jpg|Flag raising Labuan 24 Dec 1846<ref name="lb history"/>
Map of Labuan (1888).jpg|An 1888 British Map of Labuan
</gallery>

[[File:Japanese landing off the west coast of British North Borneo, Labuan.jpg|thumb|150px|left|[[Imperial Japanese Navy|Japanese Navy]] anchoring at the coast of Labuan on 14 January 1942]]

In [[World War II]], Labuan was [[Japanese occupation of British Borneo|occupied]] by [[Empire of Japan|Japan]] from 3 January 1942 until June 1945 and garrisoned by units of the [[Thirty-Seventh Army (Japan)|Japanese 37th Army]], which controlled Northern Borneo.<ref>{{cite book|author1=T. A. Edwin Gibson|author2=G. Kingsley Ward|title=Courage remembered: the story behind the construction and maintenance of the Commonwealth's military cemeteries and memorials of the wars of 1914–1918 and 1939–1945|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dm7xAAAAMAAJ|year=1989|publisher=McClelland & Stewart|isbn=978-0-7710-8786-8}}</ref> The island served as the administrative centre for the Japanese forces.<ref name="Ooi2004">{{cite book|author=Keat Gin Ooi|title=Southeast Asia: a historical encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=smKyAAAAIAAJ|date=October 2004|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-57607-770-2}}</ref> During the occupation, the Japanese Government changed the island name to '''Maida Island''' ({{lang|ja|前田島}} [''Maeda-shima'']) on 9 December 1942 after [[Marquess|Marquis]] [[Toshinari Maeda]], as a remembrance to the first Japanese commander in northern Borneo. Maeda was killed in an [[Aviation accidents and incidents|air crash]] at [[Bintulu]], Sarawak when en route to the island to open the airfield there.<ref name="lb history"/><ref name="Ooi2004"/> As the Allied counter-attack came closer, the Japanese also developed Labuan and [[Brunei Bay]] as a naval base.<ref name="Saunders2013"/>

[[File:American Support Craft (AWM 108818).jpg|thumb|right|American [[Landing craft|support craft]] moving towards [[Victoria, Labuan|Victoria]] and Brown beach to assist the landing of the members of Australian [[24th Brigade (Australia)|24th Infantry Brigade]] on the island during [[Operation Oboe Six]]]]
[[File:Japanese Surrender, Labuan (AWM 115989).JPG|thumb|150px|left|Japanese Commander in Borneo, Lieutenant General [[Masao Baba]] signing the surrender document dated 9 September 1945 on the [[9th Division (Australia)|Australian 9th Division]] headquarters in Labuan while being watched by the [[Major general (Australia)|Australian Major General]] [[George Wootten]]]]

The liberation of Borneo by the [[Allies of World War II|Allied forces]] began on 10 June 1945 when the Australian Army under the command of [[Major general (Australia)|Australian Major General]] George Wootten launched an attack under the codename of [[Battle of North Borneo|Operation Oboe Six]]. Labuan became the main objective for the Allied forces to repossess.<ref name="Sandler2001">{{cite book|author=Stanley Sandler|title=World War II in the Pacific: An Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K-027Yrx12UC&pg=PA182|date=January 2001|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-8153-1883-5|pages=181–182}}</ref> Soon, the [[9th Division (Australia)|9th Division]] of the Australian Army launched the attack with support from airstrikes and sea bombardments until the capture of the Labuan airstrip.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56381584|title=Australians Swarm Ashore on N-W Borneo Coast|author=James O'Connor|publisher=National Library of Australia|work=[[The Morning Bulletin]]|date=13 June 1945|access-date=30 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17942995|title=Capture of Labuan Airstrip in Borneo|author=Australian Officials|publisher=National Library of Australia|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=19 June 1945|access-date=30 April 2014}}</ref> Most of the Labuan island area including the main town of [[Victoria, Labuan|Victoria]] was under the control of Allied forces within four days of the [[Battle of Labuan|landing on 10 June]].<ref name="Sandler2001"/> On 9 September 1945, the Japanese Lieutenant General [[Masao Baba]] officially surrendered at a place now known as Surrender Point near the Layang-layang beach which he had been brought to the 9th Division headquarters on the island to sign the surrender document in front of the Australian 9th Division Army Commander [[George Wootten]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dva.gov.au/commems_oawg/OAWG/war_memorials/overseas_memorials/malaysia/Pages/malaysia%20surrender%20point.aspx|title=Surrender Point Memorial, Labuan Island|publisher=[[Department of Veterans' Affairs (Australia)|Department of Veterans' Affairs]]|date=19 November 2012|access-date=1 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501110149/http://www.dva.gov.au/commems_oawg/OAWG/war_memorials/overseas_memorials/malaysia/Pages/malaysia%20surrender%20point.aspx|archive-date=1 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The name of Labuan was later restored by the British and the island was administered under the [[British Military Administration (Borneo)|British Military Administration]] together with the rest of the Straits Settlements. Labuan then on 15 July 1946 joined the [[Crown Colony of North Borneo|North Borneo Crown Colony]], which in turn became the state of Sabah and [[Malaysia]] in 1963.<ref name="lb history"/><ref name="Kratoska2001">{{cite book|author=Paul H. Kratoska|title=South East Asia, Colonial History: Peaceful transitions to independence (1945–1963)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yookbQZ-0yUC&pg=PA129|year=2001|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-24784-9|pages=129–}}</ref> In 1984, the Government of Sabah ceded Labuan to the [[Government of Malaysia|federal government]] and later was admitted as a [[Federal Territories (Malaysia)|federal territory]]. This was done so that it could become an offshore financial centre.<ref name="labuan">{{cite web|url=http://www.dvs.gov.my/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=01e32808-0a2b-4369-9747-2021f14012c9&groupId=16746 |title=Laws of Malaysia A585 Constitution (Amendment) (No.2) Act 1984 |work=Government of Malaysia |publisher=Department of Veterinary Services |access-date=28 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429050631/http://www.dvs.gov.my/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=01e32808-0a2b-4369-9747-2021f14012c9&groupId=16746 |archive-date=29 April 2014 }}</ref> It was declared an international offshore financial centre and [[free trade zone]] in 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bnm.gov.my/index.php?rp=19 |title=Chapter 8: Labuan International Offshore Financial Centre |publisher=[[Bank Negara Malaysia]] |access-date=1 May 2014 |quote=Labuan was declared as an International Offshore Financial Centre (IOFC) in October 1990 to complement the activities of the domestic financial market in [[Kuala Lumpur]], strengthen the contribution of financial services to [[Gross National Product]]s of Malaysia as well as develop the island and areas within its vicinity. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502033011/http://www.bnm.gov.my/index.php?rp=19 |archive-date=2 May 2014 }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Federal Territory of Labuan.svg|230px|thumb|right|A map of Labuan island including its outlying islands]]

Labuan's area comprises the main island (Labuan Island – {{convert|91.64|km2|2|disp=or|abbr=off}}) and six other smaller islands, Burung, [[Daat Island|Daat]], [[Kuraman Island|Kuraman]], Big Rusukan, Small Rusukan and Papan island with a total area of {{convert|91.64|km2|2|lk=out|abbr=off}}. The islands lie {{convert|8|km|abbr=off}} off the coast of Borneo, adjacent to the [[States and federal territories of Malaysia|Malaysian state]] of [[Sabah]] and to the north of [[Brunei|Brunei Darussalam]], on the northern edge of [[Brunei Bay]] facing the South China Sea. Labuan Island is mainly flat and undulating; its highest point is [https://pmyojana360.com Bukit Kubong] at {{convert|148|m|abbr=off}} [[above sea level]]. Over 70% of the island is still covered with vegetation. The main town area of Victoria is located in a position facing Brunei Bay.

===Islands===
* Labuan Island
* [[Daat Island]]
* Papan Island
* Burung Island
* [[Kuraman Island]]
* Big Rusukan Island (Pulau Rusukan Besar)
* Small Rusukan Island (Pulau Rusukan Kecil)

===Climate===
Labuan has a tropical rainforest climate with no dry season. Over the course of a year, the temperature typically varies from {{convert|25|to|32|C|F}} and is rarely below {{convert|24|°C}} or above {{convert|33|°C}}. The warm season lasts from 1 April to 13 June with an average daily high temperature above {{convert|31|°C}}. The hottest day of the year is 29 April, with an average high of {{convert|32|°C}} and low of {{convert|26|°C}}. The cold season lasts from 7 January to 17 February with an average daily high temperature below {{convert|30|°C}}. The coldest day of the year is 8 September, with an average low of {{convert|25|°C}} and high of {{convert|31|°C}}.<ref name="weather">{{cite web|url= http://weatherspark.com/averages/34018/Labuan-Federal-Territory-of-Labuan-Malaysia|title=Average Weather for Labuan|publisher=WeatherSpark|access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref> The weather station for Labuan is located at [[Labuan Airport]].

Thunderstorms are the most severe precipitation observed in Labuan during 60% of those days with precipitation. They are most likely around October, when they occur very frequently. Meanwhile, the relative humidity for Labuan typically ranges from 63% (mildly humid) to 96% (very humid) over the course of the year, rarely dropping below 53% and reaching as high as 100% (extremely humid).<ref name="weather"/>

{{Weather box
|location = Labuan ([[Labuan Airport]]) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1930–present)
|single line = Yes
|metric first = Yes
|Jan record high C = 34.0
|Feb record high C = 35.3
|Mar record high C = 36.4
|Apr record high C = 36.6
|May record high C = 35.7
|Jun record high C = 34.9
|Jul record high C = 34.4
|Aug record high C = 35.0
|Sep record high C = 34.2
|Oct record high C = 34.3
|Nov record high C = 34.7
|Dec record high C = 34.4
|year record high C = 36.6
|Jan record low C = 21.3
|Feb record low C = 21.1
|Mar record low C = 20.8
|Apr record low C = 21.7
|May record low C = 20.4
|Jun record low C = 20.0
|Jul record low C = 19.3
|Aug record low C = 21.2
|Sep record low C = 21.0
|Oct record low C = 21.5
|Nov record low C = 21.9
|Dec record low C = 21.8
|year record low C = 19.3
|Jan high C =  30.4
|Feb high C =  30.6
|Mar high C =  31.6
|Apr high C =  32.1
|May high C =  32.1
|Jun high C =  31.7
|Jul high C =  31.5
|Aug high C =  31.6
|Sep high C =  31.4
|Oct high C =  31.0
|Nov high C =  31.1
|Dec high C =  30.8
| year high C =  31.3
|Jan mean C =  27.3
|Feb mean C =  27.2
|Mar mean C =  27.7
|Apr mean C =  28.3
|May mean C =  28.4
|Jun mean C =  28.1
|Jul mean C =  27.9
|Aug mean C =  28.0
|Sep mean C =  27.8
|Oct mean C =  27.5
|Nov mean C =  27.6
|Dec mean C =  27.5
| year mean C =  27.8
|Jan low C =  24.9
|Feb low C =  24.9
|Mar low C =  25.1
|Apr low C =  25.4
|May low C =  25.6
|Jun low C =  25.2
|Jul low C =  25.0
|Aug low C =  25.1
|Sep low C =  24.9
|Oct low C =  24.7
|Nov low C =  24.8
|Dec low C =  24.9
| year low C =  25
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm =  222.8
|Feb precipitation mm =  105.2
|Mar precipitation mm =  124.4
|Apr precipitation mm =  216.5
|May precipitation mm =  267.0
|Jun precipitation mm =  312.1
|Jul precipitation mm =  299.3
|Aug precipitation mm =  311.1
|Sep precipitation mm =  332.9
|Oct precipitation mm =  427.5
|Nov precipitation mm =  364.8
|Dec precipitation mm =  336.4
| year precipitation mm =  3320
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days =  11.0
|Feb precipitation days =  7.1
|Mar precipitation days =  9.0
|Apr precipitation days =  12.4
|May precipitation days =  14.4
|Jun precipitation days =  14.5
|Jul precipitation days =  14.0
|Aug precipitation days =  13.3
|Sep precipitation days =  15.4
|Oct precipitation days =  18.4
|Nov precipitation days =  17.4
|Dec precipitation days =  15.3
|year precipitation days =  162.2
|time day = 14:00
|Jan humidity = 73
|Feb humidity = 74
|Mar humidity = 71
|Apr humidity = 70
|May humidity = 71
|Jun humidity = 69
|Jul humidity = 69
|Aug humidity = 70
|Sep humidity = 70
|Oct humidity = 72
|Nov humidity = 73
|Dec humidity = 73
|year humidity = 71
|Jan sun = 202.6
|Feb sun = 199.8
|Mar sun = 248.2
|Apr sun = 250.3
|May sun = 243.1
|Jun sun = 214.9
|Jul sun = 220.5
|Aug sun = 222.3
|Sep sun = 195.6
|Oct sun = 206.0
|Nov sun = 209.7
|Dec sun = 214.4
|year sun = 2627.4
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-5-WMO-Normals-9120/Malaysia/CSV/Labuan_96465.csv
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 19 October 2023}}</ref>
{{lang|de|[[Deutscher Wetterdienst]]}} (humidity, 1939–1966)<ref name = DWD>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_964650_kt.pdf
|title = Klimatafel von Labuan / Insel Borneo (Kalimantan) / Malaysia
|work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
|publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
|language = de
|access-date = 17 October 2016}}</ref>
|source 2 = Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)<ref name = meteoclimat>
{{cite web
|url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=797
|title = Station Labuan
|publisher = Meteo Climat
|language = fr
|access-date = 14 October 2016}}</ref>
|date=May 2014
}}

==Government==
Labuan is one of the Malaysian federal government territories. The island is administered by the federal government through the Department of Federal Territories, a department under the [[Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia)]]. [[Labuan Corporation]] is the municipal government for the island and is headed by a chairman who is responsible for the development and administration of the island. Labuan has one representative in each of the Lower and Upper Houses of [[Parliament of Malaysia|Parliament]]. Typically, the current member of the parliament of Labuan will be appointed to become chairman of Labuan Corporation.

The island is represented in the lower house of parliament by MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman of PN and in the upper house by Senator Anifah Aman of Parti Cinta Sabah, making him the first non-Labuan resident senator.
Below is the list of administrators of Labuan Corporation from 2001 to the current date:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! From
! To
|-
| Othman Mohd Rijal
| 2001
| 2003
|-
| Suhaili Abdul Rahman
| 2003
| 2008
|-
| Ahmad Phesal Talib
| 2008
| 2011
|-
| [[Yussof Mahal]]
| 2011
| 2013
|-
| [[Rozman Isli|Rozman Haji Isli]]
| 2013
| 2018
|-
| Amir Hussein
| 2019
| 2021
|-
| [[Bashir Alias]]
| 2021
| 2023
|-
| [[Anifah Aman]]
| 2023
| Incumbent
|}

===Administrative subdivision===
The Federal Territory is administratively subdivided into the capital [[Victoria, Labuan|Bandar Victoria]] and 27 ''kampung'' (administrative villages),<ref>[http://www.pl.gov.my/documents/10157/dd6dcf0f-8a1b-44bc-92a2-37d06e5d377d JADUAL PELAKSANAAN PROGRAM KESEDARAN KITAR SEMULA BAGI KAMPUNG-KAMPUNG DI W.P. LABUAN UNTUK TAHUN 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140106014714/http://www.pl.gov.my/documents/10157/dd6dcf0f-8a1b-44bc-92a2-37d06e5d377d |date=6 January 2014 }}</ref><ref>E-Mail of the Territory Administration to Wikipedia (11 June 2012)</ref> and which are ruled by appointed ''Ketua Kampung'' (headmen):

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
# Bukit Kalam
# Durian Tunjung
# Tanjung Aru
# Pohon Batu
# Batu Arang
# Patau-Patau 2
# Belukut
# Sungai Keling
# Sungai Bedaun / Sungai Sembilang
# Layang-Layangan
# Sungai Labu
# Pantai
# Gersik / Saguking / Jawa / Parit
# Sungai Buton
# Kilan / Kilan Pulau Akar
# Lajau
# Rancha-Rancha
# Nagalang / Kerupang
# Bebuloh
# Sungai Lada
# Lubok Temiang
# Sungai Bangat
# Sungai Miri / Pagar
# Patau-Patau 1
# Batu Manikar
# Bukit Kuda
# Ganggarak / Merinding
{{div col end}}

===Security===
Security is the responsibility of the federal government, with naval patrol vessels, a garrison, and an air detachment based on the island. The vigilance of the local Coast Guard and Customs and Excise contribute to the maintenance of Labuan's reputation and status as an international offshore financial centre and free trade zone.

==Demographics==
===Population and religion===
{{Historical populations
| 1991 |54241
| 2000 |70871
| 2010 |83920
| 2020 |95120
| source = {{my10|2020kf}}
| graph-pos = bottom
}}
{{bar box
|title = Religion in Labuan – 2020 Census{{my10|2020kf}}
|titlebar =
|left1 = Religion
|right1 = Percent
|float = right
|bars =
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|Green|77.2}}
{{bar percent|Christianity|Blue|13.8}}
{{bar percent|[[Buddhism]]|yellow|8.1}}
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|orange|0.6}}
{{bar percent|Other religions|Gray|0.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Irreligion|No religion]] / Unknown|Black|0.1}}
}}

[[File:Masjid_Jamek_Annur,_2021.jpg|thumb|right|[[An-Nur Jamek Mosque, Labuan|An-Nur State Mosque]], 2021]]
[[File:Labuan Malaysia Kwang-Fook-Kong-Temple-02.jpg|thumb|right|Kwang Fook Kong Temple]]

According to Malaysia's Department of Statistics, Labuan's population was 86,908 at the 2010 Census and 95,120 at the 2020 Census.<ref>Dept. of Statistics Malaysia (web)</ref> The ethnic composition in 2020 in Labuan was: [[Malay people]] including [[Kedayan]] and [[Bruneian Malay]] (34,068), [[Kadazan-Dusun]] including/excluding [[Rungus people|Rungus]] (9,408), [[Bajau people|Bajau]] (6,866), [[Murut people|Murut]] (1265), [[Malaysian Chinese|Chinese]] (9,843), [[Malaysian Indians|Indians]] (891), [[Lundayeh]] and other ethnic groups (21,947), and non-Malaysian citizens (10,832). The majority of Chinese people in Labuan are from the [[Hokkien]] dialect group (but has been since decreasing due to migration to the [[Peninsular Malaysia|Peninsula]] as well as overseas); however, there are also many [[Hakka people|Hakkas]], most of whom are migrants or descendants of migrants from mainland Sabah as well as local-born Hakkas, whom are settled for more than 2 to 3 generations in the island dating as long as the [[North Borneo|colonial period]], in which they came as stopover migrants or traders before embarking to the mainland (even when it was still an only island offshore municipality within [[Sabah]] state jurisdiction from 1963 to 1984) as well as a negligible minority of [[Fuzhou people|Fuzhounese]] from neighbouring Sarawak, mostly working as government staff and those posted in the petroleum and gas offshore industries and to a lesser extent a large minority of [[Dayak people|Dayaks]] also from Sarawak who are resident here and their local-born descendants whom are mostly ethnically [[Iban people|Iban]] with pockets of [[Bidayuh]] and [[Orang Ulu]] residents.

{{As of|2010}} Census the population of Labuan is 76.0% [[Muslim]], 12.4% Christian, 9.0% [[Buddhism|Buddhist]], 0.4% [[Hindu]], 2.1% follower of other religions, and 0.1% non-religious.

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: lem auto lem auto;"
|+ Labuan Ethnic Composition (2010)<ref name="pop2">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/files/demo/Risalah_Indikator_Demografi_Malaysia_2013.pdf |title=Demographic Indicator Malaysia 2013 |language=ms, en |access-date=21 January 2014 |publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202125830/http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/files/demo/Risalah_Indikator_Demografi_Malaysia_2013.pdf |archive-date=2 February 2014 }}</ref>
|- style="background:#efefef;"
! scope="col" |Ethnic groups
! scope="col" |Ethnics
! scope="col" |Total
|-
|rowspan="5" |[[Bumiputera (Malaysia)|Bumiputera]]
|Malay
|34,068
|-
|Kadazan-Dusun (including/excluding Rungus)
|9,408
|-
|Bajau
|6,866
|-
|Murut
|1,265
|-
|Lun Bawang/Lundayeh and Other Bumiputeras <br /> (mostly Dayaks from Sarawak)
|21,064
|-
|Rowspan="3" |Non-Bumiputeras
|Chinese
|9,843
|-
|Indian
|891
|-
|Others
|883
|-
|Rowspan="1" |Non-citizen
|
|10,832
|-
|
|'''Total'''
|'''95,120'''
|}

==Economy==
[[File:Labuan port-Malaysia.JPG|thumb|left|Labuan Port]]

The economy of Labuan thrives on its vast oil and gas resources and international investment and banking services. Labuan is very much an import-export oriented economy. Virtually all of its commodities including [[Petroleum|crude oil]], [[methanol]], HBI,{{clarify|date=May 2025}} [[Natural Gas|gas]], flour, animal feed, sea products, and ceramic tiles are exported either to Peninsular Malaysia or overseas. Raw materials, parts, and equipments for industrial uses well as consumer products are imported. In 2004, the total value of Labuan's external trade reached MYR11.8&nbsp;billion from only MYR5.0&nbsp;billion in 1995 for a net trade surplus of MYR5.1&nbsp;billion. Among its major trade partners are India, Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and South Korea. 65% of its exports are petroleum and gas-based products.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.llpm.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=118:labuan-economy&catid=53:labuan-economy-and-developments&Itemid=139|title=Labuan Economy|access-date=20 January 2014|publisher=Labuan Liberty Port Management|archive-date=1 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201215346/http://www.llpm.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=118:labuan-economy&catid=53:labuan-economy-and-developments&Itemid=139|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Labuan is estimated at MYR3.63&nbsp;billion in 2012 with a growth rate of 5.8 per cent. Labuan GDP per capita in 2012 is MYR39,682. The total employment for Labuan is around 39,800 in 2012. The main economic sectors in Labuan is service and manufacturing which contributed 94.6 per cent to the island GDP. The service sector consisted mainly of Finance and Insurance and Real Estate and Business Services.  Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector consists mainly of oil and gas industry and support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Akaun/files/gdp_state/2005-2012/Penerbitan_KDNK_Negeri_2005-2012.pdf |title=GDP by state, national accounts 2005–2012 |language=en, ms |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=Department of Statistic, Malaysia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126180006/http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Akaun/files/gdp_state/2005-2012/Penerbitan_KDNK_Negeri_2005-2012.pdf |archive-date=26 November 2013 }}</ref>

[[File:Labuan Malaysia Financial-Park-Complex-01.jpg|thumb|Labuan Financial Park complex, also known as Ujana Kewangan (UK) by many Labuanese.]]

The Labuan International Business and Financial Centre [[Labuan IBFC]] was created as Malaysia's only offshore financial hub in October 1990 and was operating under the name of Labuan International Offshore Financial Centre (IOFC). At the time it was established to strengthen the contribution of financial services to the [[Gross National Product]] (GNP) of Malaysia as well as to develop the island and its surrounding vicinity. The jurisdiction, supervised by the Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority or LOFSA, offers benefits such as 3% tax<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-21 |title=How to Qualify for Labuan's 3% Tax Rate — A Smart Guide for Singaporean Entrepreneurs |url=https://remoteforce.work/labuan-for-singaporean-businesses/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |language=en-US}}</ref> on net audited results or a flat rate of Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) 20,000 to trading companies; low operational costs; liberal exchange controls; and a host of other advantages including readily available, experienced and professional service providers. In 2010 the notion "offshore" was excluded from all the statutes of Labuan due to world pressure on the tax havens and offshores.

Since its inception, the jurisdiction has expanded to become a base for more than 4,800 [[offshore company|offshore companies]] and  68 licensed banks. The IBFC also has over 370 registered foundations, 100 partnerships, and over 63 licensed trusts.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=2022 Labuan IBFC Financial Landscape |url=https://exty.bio/incorporating-in-labuan-in-2024-how-you-can-benefit-from-forming-a-labuan-company/ |access-date=23 August 2022 |website=Exty |language=en-US}}</ref> Labuan IBFC is embarking on an aggressive growth strategy to become the premier international business and financial centre in the Asia Pacific region.

Labuan's business focus is on five core areas: offshore holding companies, captive insurance, Shariah-compliant Islamic Finance structures, public and private funds, and wealth management. Labuan IBFC's position is further enhanced by the launch of the Malaysian International Islamic Finance Centre initiative in August 2006.

==Development==
Unlike other federal territory, Labuan is underdeveloped. The island's urban landscape is characterised by a mix of older buildings and limited modern architectural advancements. Key infrastructure projects, such as road networks and public transportation systems, are less advanced nor extensive, resulting in significant traffic issues during peak hours, particularly in the early morning and evening commutes.

===Labuan-Menumbok Bridge===
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2025}}

One of the most anticipated infrastructure projects is the proposed bridge connecting Labuan to Menumbok in mainland Sabah. Like [[Penang Bridge]]. Labuan-Menumbok bridge aims to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth by providing a direct link between the island and the mainland. The project is expected to reduce travel time, improve the movement of goods and people, and boost tourism in the region, reflecting their commitment to regional development and integration.

The proposal was first introduced in the 1990s. However, it has faced numerous delays due to fact that the feasibility studies for the project were outdated and needed to be updated for the project to proceed smoothly.

==Transport==
Labuan offers two primary modes of transportation for travel to and from the island.

===Water ferry===
[[File:KotaKinabalu Sabah JesseltonPoint-07.jpg|thumb|alt=White ferry with "Labuan Express 2" painted on the side|A ferry from Labuan in [[Kota Kinabalu]], Sabah]]
Labuan Ferry: One of the main routes is via water ferry services to Sabah and Sarawak. This ferry service is a vital link for passengers and vehicles, providing a convenient and scenic route across the island's strait.

In May 2024, [[Anwar Ibrahim|Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim]] emphasised the need to update existing technical studies to reflect the current situation, such as upgrading works at the terminal, which costed RM22 Million. The funding is intended to enhance the facilities, infrastructure, jetty, and ferry ramp at the terminal. The Prime Minister said the estimated one-hour embarkation time could be reduced by addressing delays caused by immigration checks. He emphasised that efficient services from local enforcement agencies were crucial in resolving congestion issues at the terminal, rather than relying solely on new infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 May 2024 |title=Labuan-Sabah bridge proposal awaiting updated tehnical study - Anwar |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2024/05/31/labuan-sabah-bridge-proposal-awaiting-updated-tehnical-study-anwar/ |access-date=8 September 2024 |website=Borneo Post Online |language=en-US}}</ref>

Ferry services between [[Kota Kinabalu]], Sabah, and Labuan were suspended after the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia]]. Initially scheduled to resume on 15 December 2024 from Labuan to [[Jesselton Point]], further delays occurred due to a lack of readiness as Jesselton Point.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/255457/upset-as-kota-kinabalu-jetty-still-not-ready/ |title=Upset, as Kota Kinabalu jetty still not ready |author=Sohan Das |work=Daily Express |date=3 April 2025 |access-date=6 October 2025}}</ref> The ferry service eventually resumed on 28 May, although connecting to [[Kota Kinabalu Port]] instead of Jesselton Point.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/05/27/passenger-ferry-service-between-kota-kinabalu-and-labuan-resumes-after-three-year-hiatus/178377 |title=Passenger ferry service between Kota Kinabalu and Labuan resumes after three-year hiatus |author=Julia Chan |work=Malay Mail |date=27 May 2025 |access-date=6 October 2025}}</ref>

===Air travel===
[[Labuan Airport]] facilitates air travel to the major destinations. The airport hosts several airlines:
* '''Malaysia Airlines''': Provides regular flights to Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, offering connectivity to both domestic and international destinations.
* '''AirAsia''': Another major airline operating from Labuan Airport, AirAsia also offers flights to Kuala Lumpur, catering to budget-conscious travellers.
* '''MASwings''': A regional airline, MASwings, operates flights to Miri in Sarawak as well as Kota Kinabalu in the neighbouring state of Sabah, enhancing connectivity within East Malaysia.

These transportation options ensure that W.P. Labuan remains accessible and well-connected, supporting both the local population and visitors to the island.

==Places of interest==
[[File:Labuan-Chimney.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Chimney Museum|Chimney]] at the Colliery Fields]]

There are several attractions and places of interest in Labuan. The [[Labuan War Cemetery]] contains various war graves and memorials to the fallen of World War II. This includes British, Australian, Indian, Sarawakian, Bruneian, North Bornean, and Empire troops, with a total of 3,908 graves of fallen soldiers. A memorial service is held on Remembrance Day once every four years. The territory also has a memorial celebrating the surrender of the Japanese to the Australian Forces in 1945. Remnants of Labuan's history as a [[Royal Navy]] [[coaling station]] include [[Chimney Museum|the chimney]], a well known local landmark. Labuan also contains a [[Labuan Maritime Museum]].

Labuan is also the base for diving on four popular wreck dives: the Cement wreck, the American wreck (the first [[USS Salute (AM-294)|USS ''Salute'']]), the Australian wreck and the Blue Water wreck.<ref>[http://www.panagadivers.com/Wrecks/Labuan.htm Panagadivers.com<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203032527/http://panagadivers.com/Wrecks/Labuan.htm |date= 3 February 2009 }}</ref>

Labuan has many schools. However, it has only one international school, Labuan International School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.labuantourism.com.my/aboutlabuan/school.htm |title=School |publisher=Labuantourism.com.my |access-date=21 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222073638/http://www.labuantourism.com.my/aboutlabuan/school.htm |archive-date=22 February 2012 }}</ref> Other places of interest include the Labuan International Sea Sport Complex. Newly proposed is the Marina Centre and Labuan Square project which were completed in 2010.

Labuan's own institution of higher education is Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wwwkal.ums.edu.my/ |title=Laman Web Rasmi Universiti Malaysia Sabah Kampus Antarabangsa Labuan |publisher=Al.ums.edu.my |access-date=21 February 2012 |archive-date=2 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302145714/http://wwwkal.ums.edu.my/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> a branch of Universiti Malaysia Sabah in Sepanggar Bay, [[Kota Kinabalu]]. Labuan also has [[Kolej Matrikulasi Labuan]], the only matriculation college in East Malaysia. All pre-university students from [[Sabah]], [[Sarawak]], and Labuan take their courses at this institution.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
Labuan-war-cemetery.jpg|[[Labuan War Cemetery]]
Labuan Malaysia Clock-Tower-01.jpg|Replica Clock Tower of 1906{{refn|[[File:Labuan Malaysia Clock-Tower-08.jpg|none|thumb|150px|An inscription about the new clock tower.]]|group=note}}
Labuan MuziumLabuan.jpg|[[Labuan Museum]]
</gallery>

==Postage stamps and postal history==
[[File:Stamp Labuan 1885 2c.jpg|upright=0.55|thumb|1885 2c stamp]]
[[File:2c stamp of labuan north borneo.jpg|upright=0.55|thumb|Stamp of North Borneo overprinted "Labuan", 1897]]

A post office was operating in Labuan by 1864, and used a circular date stamp as [[postmark]]. The postage stamps of [[British Raj|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 stamps of the Straits Settlements but began issuing its own in May 1879.

Although initially the design for the first stamp issue was proposed to be depicting a clump of [[sago palm]]s, for economic reasons, the queen heads design was finally adopted, having been used initially for postage stamps of [[Grenada]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://stampsjournal.com/labuan/labuan-stamps/|title=Labuan Stamps|website=The Stamps Journal|access-date=2 June 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604222918/http://stampsjournal.com/labuan/labuan-stamps/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stampworldhistory.com/country-profiles-2/asia/labuan/ |title=Labuan {{!}} Stamps and postal history |website=StampWorldHistory |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180303052114/http://www.stampworldhistory.com/country-profiles-2/asia/labuan/|access-date=12 August 2018|archive-date= 3 March 2018}}{{title missing|date=May 2022}}</ref> The first stamps of Labuan therefore depict the usual profile of [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]] but are unusual for being inscribed in Malay-Arabic ([[Jawi script|Jawi]]) and Chinese scripts in addition to "LABUAN POSTAGE". Perennial shortages necessitated a variety of [[fee|surcharges]] in between the several reprints and colour 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 stamps of North Borneo were overprinted "LABUAN". On 24 September 1896, the 50th anniversary of the cession was marked by overprinting "1846 / JUBILEE / 1896" on North Borneo stamps. Additional overprints appeared through the 1890s. In 1899 many types were surcharged with a value of 4 cents.

The last Labuan-only design came out in 1902, depicting a crown and inscribed "LABUAN COLONY". After incorporation into the Straits Settlements in 1906, Labuan ceased issuing its own stamps, although they remained valid for some time. Many of the remainder were [[cancelled-to-order]] for sale to collectors and are now worth only pennies; genuine franked/post used stamps are worth much more.

==Federal parliament seats==
List of Labuan representatives in the Federal Parliament (Dewan Rakyat)
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Parliament
!Seat Name
!Member of Parliament
!Party
|-
!P166
|[[Labuan (federal constituency)|Labuan]]
|Suhaili Abdul Rahman
|bgcolor="{{party color|Perikatan Nasional}}" |{{Font color|white|'''[[Perikatan Nasional|{{Font color|white|PN}}]]''' ('''[[Malaysian United Indigenous Party|{{Font color|white|BERSATU}}]]''')}}
|-
|}

==Notable residents==
* [[Hassan Sani]], Malaysian and Sabah football player
* [[Kelvin Teo]], young entrepreneur and season 1 winner of reality show ''Love Me Do''
* [[Karen Kong]], Hong Kong-based Malaysian pop singer
* [[Suresh Singh]], right-hand bowler who plays for the Malaysian cricket national team
* [[Yussof Mahal]], politician from [[Barisan National]] party and former Member of Parliament for Labuan
{{Portal|Malaysia}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==Further reading==
* ''Labuan Story: Memoirs of a Small Island near the Coast of North Borneo'' (1958) [[Maxwell Hall]] Jesselton, North Borneo: Chung Nam.
* ''The history of Labuan Island (Victoria Island)'' (1996) [[Stephen R. Evans]], Abdul Rahman Zainal and Rod Wong Khet Ngee. Singapore: Calendar Print
* Chai Foh Chin (2007) ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20120407063734/http://www.nhpborneo.com/book/e047 Early Picture Postcards of North Borneo and Labuan]''
* [[Stephen R. Evans]], Abdul Rahman Zainal and Rod Wong Khet Ngee (Reprint 2007) ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20120407063739/http://www.nhpborneo.com/book/h007 The History of Labuan (Victoria Island)]''

==External links==
{{Sister project links|wikt=no|q=no|n=no|v=no|voy=Labuan}}
* [http://www.pulaulabuan.com/ Labuan] – Travel information
* [http://www.pl.gov.my/ Labuan Corporation]
* [http://www.labuantourism.my/ Labuan Tourism]
* [https://labuanislandbirds.wordpress.com/ Labuan Avitourism]
* 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140502032234/http://www.labuanibfc.com/site/ Labuan International Business and Financial Centre, Malaysia]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Labuan
|North     = ''[[South China Sea]]''
|East      = [[Sabah]]
|Southeast = [[Sarawak]]
|South     = [[Brunei-Muara District|Brunei-Muara]], {{flag|Brunei}}
|West      = ''[[South China Sea]]''
}}

{{Labuan}}
{{Malaysia border crossings|state=collapsed}}
{{States and Federal Territories of Malaysia}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Labuan| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Federal territories of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Islands of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Islands of the South China Sea]]
[[Category:History of North Borneo]]
[[Category:British Borneo]]
[[Category:History of Sabah]]
[[Category:Philately of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Maritime Southeast Asia]]