Lawas

Lawas aerial view - Lawas aerial view

Lawas is a small frontier town in the northeastern corner of Sarawak state in Malaysian East Malaysia|Borneo. The town is located in a strip of Sarawak territory sandwiched between the Temburong neighborhood of Brunei and Malaysia's Sabah state. It is cut off from the rest of Sarawak and is more easily accessed from Sabah.

The town does not have many attractions to interest the traveller but you may find yourself here if you are travelling overland between Sabah and Sarawak. Quiet and peaceful, Lawas is quite pleasant if you have to stop for a day or two.

Lawas is also the starting point for the logging road to Ba Kelalan in the Sarawak Kelabit Highlands|Highlands.

Travel to Lawas

Fly to Lawas

Lawas airport IATA Flight Code: LWY Web: about&id=25 5.8465612, 115.404593 ☎ +60 85-211200

Airport is served by the rural air service provided by MASWings, Twin Otter planes link Lawas with Kelabit Highlands|Ba Kelalan, Kota Kinabalu, Limbang and Miri.

From Ba Kelalan: Flights on Mondays and Saturdays. One way fare is RM46 before fuel extra charge and other fees.
From Kota Kinabalu: Two flights a week. From Kota Kinabalu, flights depart on Tuesdays and Sundays while from Lawas, flights depart on Mondays and Sundays. Fare is RM54 one way before taxes and extra charges and journey time is 45 minutes.
From Limbang: Flights on Mondays and Wednesdays. One way fare is RM34 before fuel extra charge and other fees.
From Miri: At least four flights daily, with some flights going through Limbang. One way fare is RM60 before fuel extra charge and other fees.

By road

The road network in Lawas is directly linked to Sabah while access to the rest of Sarawak requires you to travel through Brunei. You will most likely find yourself in Lawas if you are travelling overland between Sabah and Sarawak. See Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by land. Lawas is also the starting point for the ex-logging trail to Kelabit Highlands|Ba Kelalan.

From Sabah: Travel to/from Sabah is straight forward as there is a direct road from Lawas to the Sabah-Sarawak border at Merapok 35km away, where the road continues to Kota Kinabalu via Sipitang, Beaufort (Sabah) | Beaufort and Papar. Please note that non-Sarawak residents have to go through immigration procedures at Merapok and Sindumin on the Sabah side of the border crossing.
From Temburong, Brunei: Temburong is connected by road to Lawas town via Trusan, where there is a ferry crossing. The Brunei-Sarawak border is at Labu but there is only a Brunei immigration checkpoint there. You will have to sort out your Sarawak immigration requirements, whether being stamped in or out of the state, at the immigration post at Trusan (officially known as the Mengkalap immigration post), 20km from Lawas and about 8km from the actual border. The checkpoint operates out of a corner shoplot in a row of shops just east of the ferry until the new customs and immigration checkpoint which is being built is completed. From Labu, its another 20km to Bangar and the administrative centre for Brunei's Temburong neighborhood. You should also head to Temburong if you want to go to Limbang, Miri and the rest of Sarawak.
From Ba Kelalan: The 125km road to Kelabit Highlands|Ba Kelalan is a former logging trail, and conditions can be pretty bad especially during the rainy season. The road is only suitable for four-wheel drives and the journey takes at least six hours. The road goes through at least 20 villages in the Long Sukang, Long Luping and Long Semadoh areas.

Travel on a Bus in Lawas

Minivans and local buses operated by the Lawas Bus Company Sdn Bhd link Lawas neighbouring towns like Trusan, Punang, Sundar and Merapok as well as Beaufort (Sabah) | Beaufort in Sabah. Most minivans leave in the morning. Air conditioned long-distance express buses connect Lawas with Kota Kinabalu and towns in between like Sipitang and Beaufort (Sabah) | Beaufort.

Sipitang Express Bus Sdn Bhd (☎ +60-(0)16-8326722 in Lawas, +60-88-213722 in Kota Kinabalu) runs one daily bus to Kota Kinabalu, departing at 12:30. From Kota Kinabalu there are three buses that depart from the station on Jalan Tugu, one at 07:30, 7:45 & 8:00 all by different operators with a ticket booth at the station. Journey is about five hours (two hours to Beaufort) and the one way fare is RM20 or RM11 for Beaufort. The

Lawas Bus Company runs a daily express bus service to and from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah leaving Lawas in the morning and returning from Kota Kinabalu at 1pm, arriving in Lawas at about 5pm. RM30 one way.

To get to Kelabit Highlands|Ba Kelalan, private four-wheel drives usually offer seats to passengers. They cost around RM40 one way. Check around where buses and taxis stop.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Lawas

The only destination accessible by boat is Labuan (Malaysia). Daily boats depart Lawas at 08:00 and depart Labuan at 12:30.

Get Around

Lawas town is small enough to get around on foot. There are local buses and minivans linking Lawas with neighbouring towns and villages like Trusan, Sundar, Awat Awat, Kuala Lawas, Long Tuma and Merapok on the Sabah-Sarawak border.

What to See

kuala lawas Punang Beach Awat-Awat

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Lawas

Pesta Lawas , Festival Chak Go Mei in Lawas Hock Teck Shi Temple

Shopping

Halal Food & Restaurants

As Lawas is a part of Sarawak and there will a great opportunity to have a test at the local Sarawakian food, known as Kolo mee. Kolo mee is a type of Noodles that are stirred inside the soup, but without the base. Its appearance is difference compared to the normal soup noodles, and it is simple. Kolo mee can be found in most restaurants in Lawas and they cost around RM 3 per plate. Note that Kolo mee only available in mornings.

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Lawas

eHalal Group Lawas is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Lawas. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Lawas.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Lawas ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Lawas. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Lawas, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Lawas are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are plenty of hotels in Lawas, but no lodges around it. The hotels price range is around RM 50 as the cheapest, and the most expensive rate for a night is at RM 170.

News & References

Travel Next

Lawas is the staging post for trips to Ba Kelalan in the Kelabit Highlands.
It is also a stopover if you are doing the Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by land trail, with Bangar in Brunei, or Beaufort (Sabah) | Beaufort being the immediate next stops.