Sabah: History in Brief

1881: The British Government granted a charter to the North Borneo Provisional Association Limited.
1882: The British North Borneo Company was formed to finance the administration of the new state.
1888: North Borneo became a British protectorate.
1896: Railway was introduced. This led to the opening of the West Coast for rubber cultivation.
1942-1945: Japanese Occupation
1945-1946: Liberation by Commonwealth forces.
1946: The military authority handed North Borneo over to a civilian government. North Borneo became a British Colony.
1946-1952: North Borneo together with the Island of Labuan became a British Crown Colony administered by a Governor with an Advisory Council, Executive Consultative Council and a Legislative Council, District Councils and sub-district councils were established. The first district council was established in Kota Belud on 1st January, 1952.
1961: The first political party United National Kadazan Organization (UNKO) was formed and led by Datuik Donald Stephens. United Sabah National Organization (USNO) was later formed by Datuk Mustapha bin Datuk Harun.
1962: Sabah held its first elections for the Local Councils seats. Sabah Alliance (UNKO and USNO) achieved overwhelming success and solidified support for the creation of Malaysia.
1963: The Creation of Malaysia. Datuk Donald Stephens (the late Tun Datuk Hj. Mohd. Fuad Stephens) became the first Chief Minister. North Borneo became officially known as Sabah.

1976-1981: Bersatu Rakyat Jelata Sabah (BERJAYA) took over the reins of Government after it defeated Sabah Alliance in the General Elections. Bersatu Rakyat Jelata Sabah continues to govern Sabah having once again been victorious in the Elections held in 1981.