Sahabat Resettlement Plateau

The Sahabat Resettlement Plateau, located in the Lahad Datu district of eastern Sabah, is home to the Felda Sahabat project, one of the world's largest land development schemes. Spanning over 100,000 hectares on the Dent Peninsula, the plateau was transformed from primary rainforest into vast oil palm plantations starting in the late 1970s. This initiative was designed to resettle landless farmers and boost the national economy through palm oil exports, a cornerstone of Malaysia's industrial strategy. Geographically, the area is characterized by undulating terrain and its proximity to the Celebes Sea, providing a unique microclimate for agriculture. In 2013, the region gained significant historical attention due to the Lahad Datu standoff, which led to increased security measures under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM). Today, the plateau serves as a major hub for the palm oil industry, featuring its own refinery complexes and specialized shipping terminals. The social infrastructure includes dedicated villages for thousands of settlers, making it a self-sustaining economic zone in East Malaysia.

Nearby cities

Kota Kinabalu

The capital of Sabah state, near Mount Kinabalu.

Sandakan

A city in Sabah, known for its orangutan rehabilitation center.

Tawau

A city in southeastern Sabah, a center for cocoa and palm oil production.

Lahad Datu

A town in Sabah, a center for the palm oil industry.

Tanjung Aru

A famous beach in Kota Kinabalu, renowned for its spectacular sunsets and soft white sand.

Semporna

The gateway to world-renowned diving sites and home to the Sea Gypsies (Bajau Laut).

Kundasang

A picturesque highland town in Sabah at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, known for its cool climate.

Mabul Island

A paradise for macro divers and a picturesque fishing village off the coast of Sabah.

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Bangau

A picturesque village in northern Sabah, near the 'Tip of Borneo', featuring stunning beaches.

Menggatal

A suburb of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, combining tradition with modern education and coastal proximity.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

A group of five idyllic islands just off Kota Kinabalu, ideal for water sports and relaxation.

History & landmarks

Sipadan Island

Malaysia's only oceanic island, rising from an extinct volcanic cone.

Nature

Kinabatangan River

The second longest river in Malaysia, its banks showcasing one of the richest concentrations of wildlife in Southeast Asia.

Papar Coast

A coastal region in Sabah, known for its long sandy beaches and sunsets over the South China Sea.

More places

FELDA Sahabat Palm Oil Plantation

One of the largest palm oil plantation settlements in the world, illustrating the importance of the palm oil industry to the Malaysian ec…

Semporna Islands Park

A marine park off the coast of Sabah, renowned for its exceptional underwater life and as one of the world's top diving locations.

Agnes Keith House

A historic house in Sandakan, Sabah.

Sandakan Memorial Park

A memorial park dedicated to the prisoners of war who perished during the Sandakan Death Marches in World War II.

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

A privately-run sanctuary in Sabah that offers visitors a unique chance to observe proboscis monkeys in their natural mangrove habitat.

Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre

A center in Sepilok, Sabah, dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of the sun bear, the world's smallest bear species.

Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok

An environmental education center in Sabah, famous for its impressive canopy walkway system and birdwatching opportunities.

Danum Valley Conservation Area

A relatively undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forest area in Sabah, considered one of the best protected rainforest areas in the world.