“Have you ever heard of a town with two airports?” I ask, a mischievous glint in my eye. We’re standing at the edge of Lawas, a charming frontier town tucked away in northeastern Sarawak. It’s a place more easily reached from Sabah than the rest of Sarawak. Lawas isn’t bursting with typical tourist attractions. Yet it holds a unique charm, a quiet peacefulness that makes a day or two’s stay surprisingly pleasant. Back in the 1960s, Lawas was incredibly isolated, reachable only by river or air. And remarkably, for such a small town, it boasted not one, but two airports. One served the town, while the other, belonging to Australian missionaries, facilitated their work with the highland natives. The missionary airport eventually closed in the 1980s. Lawas is also the starting point of an adventurous road to Ba Kelalan in the Sarawak Highlands. This 125km route follows a former logging trail. Be warned, conditions can be challenging, especially during the rainy season. A four-wheel drive and a knowledgeable guide are highly recommended if you’re feeling adventurous. Today, Lawas is still a key transit point for overland journeys between Sabah and Sarawak. It’s a crucial stop on the Kota Kinabalu to Brunei route. Express buses run daily between these destinations, making Lawas a convenient and fascinating place to pause and soak in the atmosphere of this unique frontier town.
Labour Department
“Perintah Pekerjaan 2009 – ever heard of it?” a man in a blue uniform whispered to his companion. They stood