Date of Award

1-1-2001

Thesis Type

Masters

Document Type

Thesis

Divisions

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Department

Department of Southeast Asian Studies

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

The history of the island of Labuan can only be understood in its regional context. The aim of this thesis is to reconstruct the history of Labuan Island for the period 1846-1963, emphasizing its development and expansion within the regional and colonial context. The central core of this thesis deal with trade. shipping, finance and port infrastructure. The recorded history of Labuan 1s a result of European activities in Southeast Asia in the 19th and 20th centuries. The primary factor was the need for security which is a prerequisite for trade. Labuan provided a much needed haven for British ships from the elements and enemy warships in the long route of l, 700 miles of water between Singapore and Hong Kong. Foreign trade determined the need for an economic base and the consideration of defense brought out the advantages of Labuan as a natural deep-water port with strategic significance Thus, Labuan grew into a trading centre. The Colony of Labuan at its inception was without inhabitants. Moreover. before she became a British Colony it was not the local point where shipping met The natural harbour merely served as refuge port for fisherman's prahus during monsoon. Eventually, with the establishment of colonial administration the deep­ water shelter of Victoria Harbour acquired a new significance, and gradually intercepted the trade of the South China Sea, Straits of Malacca and the Sulu Seas Towards the beginning of 20th century and before the World War II Labuan 's position as a major transhipment port for Borneo Coastal trade was firmly established. Since land transport m Borneo was practically underdeveloped, an efficient link between its coastal and inland waterway and the world shipping routes was vital to its economic development. Economically, Labuan may not have entirely fulfilled the original hopes but she did become a modest emporium despite the lack of port facilities. At its offset, the port inherited the foreign trade of Southern China with Europe that had been carried on for nearly two centuries. Labuan played the role as a feeder to Singapore on the Straits of Malacca and others ports on British Borneo facing the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. However, its development as a port depended on the politics of the different administrations. The end of World War II marked Labuan Port's new role. In 1946, the year Labuan completed her first century of existence as a part of British administration, its inland was completely devastated and the port virtually destroyed by naval and aerial bombardment from both sides. At the same time. Labuan lost its free port status. She had to be re-built and eventually accorded the status of free port in 1956. The re-birth of Labuan Port broke its image "as conduit pipe of commerce" to Singapore. Then trade and shipping now looked towards to Pacific region.

Initial

snms

Additional Information

Dissertation (M.A) -- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, 2001.

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