About
Borneo History

My interest in history began in the 1970s, as little more than a curiosity about the stories behind the places I knew. I did not know it then, but I was already in the slow process of finding my true purpose in life. It did not arrive as a single moment of clarity. It arrived the way most real things do, through years of reading, collecting, and asking questions that most people had stopped asking.

Apart from my main duties as a local Commercial Bank Manager, I have dedicated myself to preserving and sharing the unique stories of Borneo's history in general, and Sabah's history in particular. As an independent researcher and historian, I have contributed more than 400 history-related articles, presentations at various events, and several works focused on the history of our region. Besides writing, I collect Borneo-related artefacts, coins, manuscripts, and vintage items that add further layers to our collective memory. None of it felt, at the time, like the beginning of something. Looking back, I can see that it was.

In 2014, that purpose took a more permanent shape. I founded Borneo History and established a historical research team known as Kumpulan Penjejak Sejarah Borneo (the Borneo History Tracker Group), to encourage deeper interest in Borneo's history, particularly among the younger generation and history enthusiasts. What had once been a private pursuit needed to become something others could take part in. My hope was, and remains, to make our history accessible and relevant, and to create a space where diverse narratives can come together to enrich our understanding of who we are. This journey is both personal and collective, and I hope it continues to draw others in to actively join the work of preserving and celebrating our shared history.

Borneo's history offers valuable cultural insight, a strong sense of identity, and important lessons for the future. The effort to uncover and understand this history strengthens our footing in a rapidly changing world, and helps us reconnect with our roots. This historical perspective can also guide policy, education, and cultural programmes, strengthening our communities and enriching the wider discourse on identity, heritage, and resilience.

The case for a dedicated centre to bring Borneo's historical research together cannot be overstated. Such a centre would serve as a point of convergence, not only to preserve our local historical knowledge, but as a hub for innovative, history-based thought leadership. It could bring together researchers, historians, and communities who share an interest in Borneo's heritage, and, with a comprehensive approach, allow us to present our history not only at the local level but in an international context, bridging historical research across cultures and perspectives.

If I have found my purpose in Borneo's history, I did not find it alone. It was given to me, long before I understood what to do with it, by my father.

Thank you.

Dr. Shari JeffriPresident, Borneo History