Self-governing state of the federation of
Malaysia, occupying NE Borneo, forming (with
Sarawak) East Malaysia; area 73,613 sq
km/28,415 sq mi; population (1984) 1,177,000,
of which the Kadazans form the largest ethnic
group at 30%; also included are 250,000
immigrants from Indonesia and the
Philippines. Its capital is Kota Kinabalu
(formerly Jesselton), and its exports include
hardwoods (25% of the world's supplies),
rubber, fish, cocoa, palm oil, copper, copra,
and hemp. It is chiefly mountainous (highest
peak Mount Kinabalu 4,098 m/13,450 ft) and
forested. The languages are Malay (official)
and English, the religions Sunni Muslim and
Christian (the Kadazans, among whom there is
unrest about increasing Muslim dominance).
Its government consists of a constitutional
head of state with a chief minister, cabinet,
and legislative assembly.