Kota Kinabalu: A new book titled The Last Colonial Officer of North Borneo—The Enduring Legacy of Anthony Lamb, celebrating the life and achievements of the late Datuk Anthony Lamb, one of Sabah’s most respected agriculturists, botanists and naturalists, will be launched on Wednesday 15 July 2026, the date that would have marked his 88th birthday.
Known affectionately as “Tony” to his many friends and colleagues, Datuk Lamb was widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on Sabah’s natural history. He served in the Agriculture Department for 39 years and was the last colonial agricultural officer to serve in British North Borneo before the formation of Malaysia.
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After graduating from the University of Cambridge, the 25-year-old Lamb arrived in North Borneo in 1962 and was posted to Tawau. Soon after, North Borneo joined the Federation of Malaysia, and he experienced first-hand the turbulent years of the Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation.
A man of remarkable resilience and adventure, Lamb survived a helicopter crash, a serious fall while carrying out fieldwork in the Maliau Basin, often referred to as Sabah’s “Lost World”, and a major motor vehicle accident.
His encyclopaedic knowledge of Sabah’s flora, fauna and natural history made him a trusted source for researchers, conservationists and visiting scientists from around the world. He also assisted numerous international documentary teams, including productions by the BBC.
Authored by Datuk C.L. Chan after two and a half years of research, the book chronicles Lamb’s life, adventures and lasting contributions to agriculture, botany and conservation in Sabah.
The launch will be held at the Ballroom of Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu on 15 July 2026. Friends, former colleagues and all who knew Datuk Anthony Lamb are warmly invited to attend and honour the legacy of a man whose contributions to Sabah’s natural heritage continue to inspire generations.
