North Borneo
North Borneo | |
|---|---|
| Borneo Utara | |
| Other transcription(s) | |
| • Jawi | بورنيو اوتارا |
| • Chinese | 北婆罗洲 (Simplified) 北婆羅洲 (Traditional) |
| • Tamil | வடக்கு போர்னியோ Vaṭakku pōrṉiyō (Transliteration) |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
| Motto(s): Selamanya Dalam Kemakmuran Forever In Prosperity | |
| Anthem: Allah Peliharakan Sultan الله ڤليهاراكن سلطان God Bless the Sultan | |
 | |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Federated into Malaysia | 16 September 1963 |
| Capital | Bandar Seri Begawan |
| Largest city | Kota Kinabalu |
| Government | |
| • Type | Parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| • Sultan | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| • Menteri Besar | Abang Abdul Rahman Johari (GPS–PBB) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 204,119 km2 (78,811 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,248 m (4,095 ft) |
| Population (2023) | |
| • Total | 6,809,683 (2nd) |
| • Demonym | North Bornean |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+8 (not observed) |
| Postal code | 93xxx to 98xxx |
| Calling code | 082 to 086 |
| ISO 3166 code | MY-12 |
| Vehicle registration | NB |
| HDI (2021) |  0.790very high · 11th |
| GDP (nominal) | 2022 |
| • Total | $98.316 billion (RM 458.152 billion) (1st) |
| • Per capita | $14,437 (RM 67,276) (4th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2022 |
| • Total | $198.647 billion (2nd) |
| • Per capita | $29,171 (7th) |
North Borneo (Malay: Borneo Utara) is one of the twelve states of Malaysia. Located entirely in East Malaysia, it shares the island of Borneo with Indonesia whose region of Borneo is bordered to the south. The combination of Brunei and the British crown colonies of Sarawak and North Borneo, with an area of 204,119 km2, it is the largest state in Malaysia along with a population of around 6.8 million people, thereby making it the second-most-populous state behind Selangor in West Malaysia.
Formed in 1963 as a single state that later joined to form Malaysia, its capital has been Bandar Seri Begawan, the traditional capital of the former Bruneian Empire, while its largest city is Kota Kinabalu located in the former crown colony of North Borneo. North Borneo is known for its diverse population, being made up of a plurality of indigenous people and followed by the Malay and Chinese people, the second and third largest groups respectively. Moreover, it is also home to the Rajang River and Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia's longest river and highest point respectively.
A constitutional monarchy with a unicameral legislative body, North Borneo has been ruled by the House of Bolkiah, formerly the ruling dynasty of Brunei, with the current monarch being Hassanal Bolkiah who serves as head of state while the head of government is an elected chief minister, currently Abang Abdul Rahman Johari. A. M. Azahari, considered by many to be the architect behind the state's foundation, was its longest-serving chief minister, having held office from 1962 to 1992, a record of thirty years. Unlike the majority of states in Malaysia, North Borneo does not have a state religion and enjoys unique levels of autonomy compared to those in West Malaysia. Its constitution, known for its somewhat left-wing nature, is said to be largely inspired by Indonesia's Pancasila.