Sabah

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Malaysia

SABAH

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted in 1963.

The design of the arms is based on the arms of British North Borneo, see below. Only in the chief the British lion was replaced by the colouors of the flag of Sabah.

The arms show a ship sailing in front of the mountain Kinabalu. At the same time, one of the arms holding the flag was changed from a European to a local arm.

North Borneo

The first arms of North Borneo were granted on July 21, 1882 and were granted to the British North Borneo Company.

Official blazon

Arms: Azure in base on waves of the sea a native boat of North Borneo with sails manned and oars in action proper, a chief Or, thereon a lion passant guardant Gules.
Crest: Upon a wreath of the colours, two arms embowed that on the dexter side being an arm of a native of North Borneo proper, that on the sinister side being an arm vested Azure cuffed Argent, the hands grasping a staff proper thereon hoisted a flag flowing to the sinister Or charged with a lion guardant Gules.
Supporters: On either side a Dyak of North Borneo that on the dexter supporting with its exterior hand a native shield and that on the sinister supporting in his exterior hand a native sword point downwards all proper.
Motto: pergo et perago

Origin/meaning

The arms show the same ship as shown in the present arms, plus the British lion in the chief. As supporters two natives were used. The two arms in the crest symboloise the European and native populations.

The arms on a stamp from 1897

The arms on a stamp from 1940

British North Borneo

The sovereignty of the British North Borneo Company was abolished on 15 July 1946 and British North Borneo became a British Crown Colony. On September 9, 1948 North Borneo received new arms.

Official blazon

Arms: Azure in base on waves of the sea in front of a representation of mount Kinabalu (4094 m.) a sailing yacht in full sail to the sinsiter on the mizzen the letter “T” Sable all proper, a chief Or thereon a lion passant guardant Gules.
Crest: Upon a wreath Azure and Or, two arms embowed that on the dexter side being an arm of a native of North Bornbeo Proper, that on the sinister side being an arm vested Azure cuffed Argent, the hands grasping a staff proper thereon hoisted a flag flowing to the sinistsre Or charged with a lion passant guardant Gules.

Origin/meaning

In these arms the mount Kinabalu was introduced from the former badge of the colony of Labuan and placed behind the ship and the supporters were removed. These arms formed the base for the present arms.

The “T” on the sail commemorates the liberation from Japanese occupation by the 9th Australian Division, which had participated in the siege of Tobruk (1941).

Literature : National and State flags and crests of Malaysia, 1963.