TAWAU

port, northeastern East Malaysia (North Borneo). It lies on the northeastern shore of Cowie Harbour, which is an inlet of the Celebes Sea. Once notorious for smuggling with the Philippines and neighbouring Kalimantan, the town is now the administrative and service centre for a developing agricultural district (coconuts, rubber, cocoa, oil palm, and abaca). The port exports timber, copra, and hemp. Tawau has an airport and a small road network. Pop. (1980) 43,200.