Tawau

Tawau is a coastal town and the capital of the Tawau District in Sabah, Malaysia. It lies on the southeast coast of Sabah, facing the Sulu Sea and near the estuary of the Tawau River.

The town serves as an economic hub for the region, with timber, palm oil, cocoa, and fishing forming the backbone of the local economy. The port of Tawau handles agricultural and industrial cargo and provides services linked to plantation industries.

Tawau developed as a trading port during the colonial era of British North Borneo and later expanded with plantation growth in the 20th century. The population is multi-ethnic, including Malays, Chinese, Bajau, Suluk, and other Indigenous groups, with a significant number of Indonesian migrants. Malay is the lingua franca, with other languages spoken locally.

Notable sites include Tawau Hills Park, a protected rainforest area in the Tawau Hills near the town, known for its biodiversity. The surrounding region includes coastal and island ecosystems in the Sulu Sea, which are popular for ecotourism and fishing.

Tawau Airport (IATA: TWU) serves domestic flights to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, and Sandakan, among others. Tawau Port on the Sulu Sea handles freight and passenger services, including ferries to nearby Indonesian destinations.