MALAYSIA -TREASURED MALAYSIAN LEGENDS -LABUAN

LABUAN

Located 8 kilometres off Sabah’s southwest coast, Labuan Island comprises of one main island and 6 smaller islets: Kuraman Island , Daat Island, Rusukan Besar Island, Rusukan Kecil Island, Papan Island and Burung Island. The name Labuan draws from the Malay word Labuhan meaning anchorage. Dubbed as the Garden Island of Borneo , Labuan is blessed with numerous varieties of marine life  and water activities all year around. Bandar Labuan , the major town and port, faces the Brunei Bay . In 1990, Labuan was declared an International Offshore Financial Centre and a free trade zone. The main attractions in Labuan include wreek diving and sport fishing.

THE STORY OF CORPSE ISLAND

Centuries ago, 2 young people fell passionately in love. Unfortunately, both of their parents strongly opposed of their relationship and their wedding plans. Unable to bear the thought of being separated from each other, the couple were determined to elope. Unfortunately , before they could do so, they were caught and exiled from their village. Embittered and angered at the injustice, the couple swore that something dreadful would happen to them if they should ever return. After persevering hardships in the world outside their village, the couple finally prospered and their love for each other still did not fade.

As they became more matured, they began longing for their family in the village they left so long ago. Finally, failing to remember the curse, they set off for their village. As they were nearing their old village’s coast the sky instantly grew dark and a forceful windstorm brought about huge waves that rocked and finally tosses their sampan or small boat. The couple’s bodies were flung into the sea and were transformed into 2 small islands by a sea sprite who took pity on them because their love for each other was so strong. Even now, centuries later, these islands known as Pulau Mayat or Corpse Islands, still retains the form of a man and a woman lying peacefully, side by side.

Located south of the main island, Pulau Mayat or Corpse Islands are now known as Pulau Rusukan Besar, literally translated to Big Rib Island, supposedly the remains of the husband and Pulau Rusukan Kecil (Small Rib Island), allegedly the remains of the wife.

Besides the legendary Corpse Islands, Labuan also offers numerous holiday destinations that will surely amuse and enchant any visitors. Some of Labuan’s must see places are the Labuan Bord Park in Tanjung Kubong, the home to exotic collections of Borneo Birds; Bebuluh and Patau –Patau Water Villages where wooden houses, shops and mosques are built on high stilts over water and are interconnected via various walkways;and the Peace Park at Layang Layangan , situated close to Surrender Point, the place where the 32^nd Japanese Southern Army surrendered to the 9^th Australian Imperial Forces on 9 September 1945. Adventure seekers must experience all four of Labuan’s wreck diving sites or go deep sea angling.