LEGENDS AND BACKGROUND OF THE KENINGAU DISTRICT

Keningau is the oldest and largest district in the interior part of Sabah. According to stories, last time this District has many “Kayu Manis” trees which is also called “Kayu Keningau”. The Skin of the trees can be made into spices and becomes favorites to traders from outside, especially from the West. The Englishmen collected he skin of ”Kayu Keningau” trees and sold internationally by The North Borneo English Company (Syarikat Inggeris Borneo Utara) in spice trading. The traders started to learn about the “Keningau” Trees. They are moved to gain more of the “Kayu Keningau” therefore making the name “Keningau” becomes famous in the interior. Because the “Kayu Manis” Trees are called “Keningau” Trees, therefore the village people start to call the village Keningau. And to eases the introduction of the Keningau District, The Keningau District name is put in the North Borneo Map (now are called Sabah), therefore The Keningau District has established its name. That’s how The Keningau District got its name, which is from a “Kayu Manis” tree in Malay and the “Keningau” tree in the local dialect.

 KENINGAU DISTRICT LOCATION

The Keningau District has an area of about 353,282 hectare or 872,960 acre (1364 square miles) situated in a land surrounded by the Crocker Banjaran on the West and the Trus Madi Banjaran on the East and South. The district consists of 43 'mukim' and 245 villages.

HISTORY

The name Keningau is derived from that of the Javanese cinnamon tree (Cinnamomun burmannii) which is abudant in the area. The tree is also known as 'Kayu Manis' in Malay and had also been referred to as the 'king of spice' . The bark of this tree was collected by The North Borneo English Company (Syarikat Inggeris Borneo Utara) to be sold as spice.

Keningau used to be one of the most important administration centres of the British in the early 1900s. The Japanese also made use of Keningau as one of its government's centres during their occupation of Sabah.

The village of Nuntunan in Apin-Apin was known as "44" during British rule. This indicated its distance of 44 miles from Tenom, another British administration centre. Nuntunan was also known as "Office", because the British had its office by the Sg Apin-Apin riverbank, which was later taken over by the Japanese. When the British returned after the Japanese surrender, the remaining Japanese soldiers surrendered at Nuntunan. The locals still believe that the Japanese soldiers had hidden some treasures around the village before their retreat, although this claim has never been properly investigated. Nuntunan, a particularly inaccessible locale, is believed to be the place where the Japanese soldiers hid their shotguns or even their gold treasures..

POPULATION

90 % of the population in Keningau are Kadazandusun and Murut, 8 % Chinese and other locals (not included the illegal immigrants).

COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPORTATION

The Keningau township are connected by road through the Kimanis/Papar and Tambunan road from Kota Kinabalu City about 138 Kilometers. 67 Kilometers form Nabawan, 35 Kilometers from Sook and 48 Kilometers from Tenom. Apart from that, an airport for small aircraft was also built, for flights three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) from Kota Kinabalu, but unfortunately the service is cancelled currently due to the up-gradation of the airport.

ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE KENINGAU DISTRICT

The Keningau District is administered by few State Department and the Federal along with the Locals, where the District Office act as the central administration department.