The Paitan District () is an administrative district in the Malaysian state of Sabah, part of the Sandakan Division. Its capital is the town of Paitan.
History and administration Paitan originally began operations as a sub-district (daerah kecil) under the administration of the Beluran District on 4 January 1999. It covers an area of 2,466 square kilometres (952 sq mi).
Recognising its growth and administrative needs, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah officially declared the upgrade of Paitan from a sub-district to a full district. This declaration took effect on 3 July 2024 and was officially published in the Sabah State Gazette on 4 October 2024. Therefore, all related administrative matters previously handled by Beluran are now transacted directly at the Paitan administrative district.
Geography Paitan is located in the northeastern region of Sabah. The district serves as an important hub connecting several other major towns in the area. It shares border with the Pitas to the north, Kota Marudu to the northwest, Beluran to the south, Ranau to the west, and Telupid to the southwest. It also meets the Sulu Sea on its coastline.
The town of Paitan is located within inland area along the Sapi–Nangoh Highway. It was located approximately from Kanibongan, from Pitas, from Kota Marudu, from Beluran, and from the city of Sandakan. The Paitan River is a major geographical feature flowing through the district, supporting the livelihood and agricultural activities of the local communities.
Demographics Based on estimates from the 2010s, the district has a population of approximately 29,100 people. The demographic makeup of Paitan is highly diverse and is predominantly composed of indigenous ethnic groups. The main ethnic communities residing in the district include the Dusun Tombonuo, Dusun Gobukon, Rungus, Orang Sungai (Sungai Paitan), Dusun Sandayo and Bajau Ubian.
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See also Districts of Malaysia
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