A Home Away From Home in Sabah

The Sabah Development Corridor intends to implement several programmes over the course of 18 years leading to the year 2025, with one of its primary objectives being the establishment of the state as a leading economic region in Asia that stands as one of the most liveable places in the world.

It’s a known fact that one of Sabah’s strongest economic points is its bustling tourism industry, but it has become apparent that increasingly greater numbers of foreign nationals come to the country expecting to stay on vacation, only to discover that it is also an ideal place to call home.

Sabah recorded arrivals of 2.09 million visitors with receipts of over RM2.8 billion in 2006, with strong growth as evidenced by positive trends in visitor arrivals, with a compounded annual growth rate of 17.2% compared to the national average growth of 7.2% over the last five years.

These statistics do not take into account the number of foreigners who have decided to stay in Sabah, or wealthy private investors who commissioned the construction of luxurious holiday homes.

Amal Coad is one of the many expatriates who have decided to adopt Sabah as a second home. Amal’s fascination with the state began when she imported Sabah’s rattan furniture and décor to her boutique in Saudi Arabia. Curious about the various other products available in Sabah, and about the environs and atmosphere of the place that produced these items, she left for Malaysia with her family to begin a new life.

Amal is now the director of Fairuz Modelling Studio, a reputable modelling agency that scours Sabah for beauty and talent and provides magazines, designers and production houses both within and outside the state with impeccably groomed and trained young ladies.

“We thought that it would be a beautiful place to live in at the time,” says Amal when asked about her reasons for coming to Sabah. “It’s relaxing, beautiful, and with plenty to see and do during the weekend. That was certainly part of the criteria we had when we moved here.”

Amal’s answer to what she enjoys most about Sabah is one that rings true with both tourists and locals alike: “The people. They’re very easygoing, not at all like the way they are in the bigger cities like London. Everyone is just so relaxed.”

She also shares her interest in remaining in Sabah for as long as possible. “I’d like to see myself still in Sabah (within the next few years). I’d actually like to retire here. I’m very interested in helping to promote Sabahan products to foreign buyers.”

Ana Maria Martinez found herself in Sabah as a result of circumstance. Originally from Majorca, the largest island in Spain, Ana came towards the end of 1984 when she married her Sabahan husband.

“I met my husband when I went to London to study English. He was studying engineering at the time. Once I agreed to marry him, I knew I would end up living in Sabah,” she shares, laughing nostalgically.

Ana currently runs a number of stationery and printing shops with her husband, the closest of which is Paper n Clips, located in Plaza Tanjung Aru. “It’s sort of a family business. We also have two other similar shops in Tawau.”

“I like it, it’s a lot better than how it was 23 years ago, and it really changes every year. It’s a nice place, especially to bring up a family. The weather, I have no problems with it, because I like the sun and I like the beach.”

Ana also shares that the foreign community has grown larger over the past few years, with younger and younger professionals and entrepreneurs moving into Sabah and establishing homes. “It’s like Sabah is their second home.”

With SDC’s emphasis on enhancing the quality of life in Sabah and transforming it into a truly liveable place, we can only expect more foreign nationals to consider the state a new place to call home. Recommendations such as long-term visas for investors in luxury residential homes and the improvement of public transportation can only help to create more reasons for foreigners to call Sabah their second home.