Gurdwara Sahib Kota Kinabalu: Sikh Temple Guide
What is Gurdwara Sahib Kota Kinabalu?
Gurdwara Sahib Kota Kinabalu is the Sikh place of worship in Sabah's capital. It was established in 1924, celebrated its centennial in September 2024, and its main prayer hall has been under restoration since November 2025.
Gurdwara Sahib Kota Kinabalu at a glance
The Gurdwara Sahib in Kota Kinabalu is the only Sikh place of worship in the state capital, established in 1924 (Asia Samachar, checked 7 October 2026). As with gurdwaras everywhere, it is more than a building: it is a place of prayer, learning and community service that has anchored Sikh life in this corner of Borneo for a century.
The story of the gurdwara mirrors the wider story of the Sikh community in North Borneo — a small but enduring presence whose roots run deep. From its founding in 1924 to a centennial celebration in 2024, the gurdwara has grown alongside the families it serves.
A gurdwara is a living place of worship that welcomes everyone. Cover your head, remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall, and dress modestly. These small courtesies are appreciated by the community and are part of the shared etiquette of any Sikh temple.
A century of Sikh history in Sabah
The gurdwara was founded in 1924. Sikh members of the North Borneo Armed Constabulary had kept the Sri Guru Granth Sahib inside the police headquarters compound at Batu 3 in Jesselton. When civilians were no longer allowed into the compound for prayers in 1923, the community raised funds, partly from Sikh policemen's monthly salaries, to build a gurdwara on nearby land (Asia Samachar, checked 7 October 2026).
A photograph from the period records the gurdwara's reopening in Jesselton on 13 April 1946, after the Second World War (Asia Samachar, checked 7 October 2026). In 2024, the community held a three-day centennial celebration from 26 to 29 September (Asia Samachar, checked 7 October 2026). The milestone honoured the generations of Sikh families who have kept the tradition alive in Sabah, from the earliest settlers to the families who worship at the gurdwara today.
The Singh Sabha and the community
The local Sikh society today is the Kinabalu Singh Sabha Association (KSSA) Sabah (Asia Samachar, checked 7 October 2026). A Singh Sabha is, in the Sikh tradition, a society devoted to the welfare of the community and the upkeep of religious life.
The gurdwara complex includes the Darbar Sahib (main prayer hall), the Nishan Sahib flagpole and a langar hall, and remains the meeting point for the community's religious and social gatherings.
Restoring the prayer hall
In 2024 termite damage forced the temporary closure of the Darbar Sahib, and prayers moved to a smaller temporary hall (Asia Samachar, checked 7 October 2026).
Restoration work on the Darbar Sahib began on 13 November 2025, with completion targeted for mid-2026 and an estimated cost of RM650,000 (Asia Samachar, checked 7 October 2026). Check with the gurdwara before visiting to find out which spaces are in use.
The Sikh community of Kota Kinabalu today
The gurdwara remains the focal point of the local Sikh community's religious and social life. Though small in number, the community is closely knit: members gather every Sunday for prayer and sewa, and on Saturdays to prepare food for the langar (Asia Samachar, checked 7 October 2026).
Religious education is an important part of that life. About ten Sikh students attend Gurmukhi classes — lessons in the script used to write the Sikh scriptures — on Sundays, helping to pass the tradition on to the next generation. Alongside the classes, the weekly rhythm includes Sunday prayers, sewa (voluntary community service) and community gatherings that keep the families connected.
Visiting the gurdwara with respect
Gurdwaras are known for their openness, and the Gurdwara Sahib in Kota Kinabalu is no exception: all visitors are welcomed, whatever their background or faith. If you would like to visit, a few simple courtesies will help you take part respectfully.
Cover your head with a scarf or cloth, remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall, and dress modestly. Move quietly and be mindful that prayers and services may be in progress. Sunday is the main day of communal worship, when the community comes together for prayers and sewa. Approached in this spirit, a visit offers a genuine window into a faith community that has been part of Kota Kinabalu for a hundred years.
If Sabah's religious heritage interests you, pair the gurdwara with the Hindu temples of Sabah and the well-loved Puh Toh Temple for a fuller picture of the state's many living traditions.