Yayasan Sabah: Foundation & Scholarships
What is Yayasan Sabah?
Yayasan Sabah, the Sabah Foundation, was established by state enactment in 1966. It manages forest resources and conservation areas and funds education, scholarships and aid, working from the landmark Menara Tun Mustapha in Likas, Kota Kinabalu.
Yayasan Sabah at a glance
Yayasan Sabah — the Sabah Foundation — was established by Enactment No. 8 of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly in 1966 (Yayasan Sabah Group, checked 6 October 2026). Its stated objectives include education for all Malaysians in Sabah, a fairer spread of economic wealth, and aid to charities and victims of natural disasters (Yayasan Sabah Group, checked 6 October 2026).
It manages forest resources and five conservation areas, and funds scholarships and loans for students (Yayasan Sabah Group, checked 6 October 2026). The foundation is also known for its striking headquarters at Likas Bay, a fixture of the Kota Kinabalu skyline.
What the foundation does
At its core, Yayasan Sabah exists to convert resource revenue into social benefit. It manages forest resources and conservation areas, and its work centres on education, scholarships and aid (Yayasan Sabah Group, checked 6 October 2026).
The foundation's specific schemes and assets change over the years. Treat this page as a general introduction and verify current programmes through Yayasan Sabah's official channels.
Menara Tun Mustapha
The foundation's headquarters, Menara Tun Mustapha at Likas Bay, is one of Sabah's best-known landmarks. The tower is a 30-storey, 72-sided polygon clad in 2,160 reflective glass panels, built in 1975 (Yayasan Sabah Group, checked 6 October 2026), and its unusual circular silhouette makes it a favourite subject for photographs of Kota Kinabalu.
Beyond its architecture, the building is the administrative heart of the foundation, housing the offices that run its scholarship and social work. Its bayside setting north of the city centre is easy to spot when travelling around Likas.
Scholarships and education
One of the foundation's most visible contributions is its scholarships and loans for needy and high-achieving students to study locally and abroad (Yayasan Sabah Group, checked 6 October 2026).
Scholarship schemes, eligibility criteria and application windows change from year to year. Students and parents interested in applying should monitor the foundation's official announcements rather than relying on past details, as funding and fields of study are periodically updated.
Aid and social programmes
The foundation's stated objectives include aid to charitable institutions and to victims of natural disasters in Sabah (Yayasan Sabah Group, checked 6 October 2026). Check its official channels for the programmes currently on offer.
These activities reflect the foundation's founding purpose: directing the benefits of Sabah's resources toward education and social development. As with its other work, the precise services on offer evolve, so current details are best confirmed directly.
Visiting and finding out more
Menara Tun Mustapha at Likas Bay, Kota Kinabalu is the foundation's home and a worthwhile landmark to see when exploring the Likas area, whether or not you have business there. The waterfront setting and distinctive tower make it a popular photo stop.
For scholarships, programmes or general enquiries, contact Yayasan Sabah on 088-326 300 (Yayasan Sabah Group, checked 6 October 2026). Because schemes and contact details can change, verifying current details before applying or visiting will save time.