KOTA KINABALU, Jan 4, 2026 — Recent figures released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) showing that nearly one in five residents of Kota Kinabalu are non-citizens have sparked political scrutiny and public concern in Sabah.
The data indicates that the number of non-citizens in the state capital rose to 125,400 as of December 2025, accounting for 20.9 per cent of the city’s estimated population of 600,000. This represents a significant increase from 79,100 recorded in 2021.
Four Sabah state assembly members questioned the surge, noting a sharp rise between 2023 and 2024 that appears inconsistent with the state government’s stated policy of reducing non-citizen numbers.
However, analysts suggest the increase may largely reflect improved data collection rather than a sudden influx. DOSM has expanded its use of administrative data, cross-agency verification and clearer classification methods, bringing previously undercounted residents into official statistics.
Kota Kinabalu’s role as Sabah’s main economic hub has also contributed to the concentration of non-citizens, as workers move from rural areas into the city for employment in construction, services and informal sectors.
State authorities under Chief Minister Hajiji Noor have emphasized border control and inflow management, but reducing new arrivals does not automatically reduce an existing urban population that has accumulated over decades.