KADAIKU: WHERE SABAH’S CRAFT, CULTURE & LOCAL ELEGANCE MEET A New Destination at Api-Api Centre Connecting Travellers with the Authentic Soul of Sabah

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KOTA KINABALU, 18 August 2026 | For travellers seeking more than a postcard from Sabah, the newly relocated Kadaiku at Api-Api Centre offers a meaningful gateway into the state’s creative identity, cultural heritage and local craftsmanship.

The destination was recently visited by Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, YB Datuk Jafry Ariffin, who toured the new Kadaiku premises and received a briefing on its operations and role in promoting Sabah-made products. Kadaiku is owned and managed by Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn. Bhd. (SPS), a subsidiary of the Sabah Tourism Board, following its relocation from its former premises in Sinsuran, Kota Kinabalu.

More than a retail destination, Kadaiku represents an important bridge between Sabah’s tourism industry and its local makers. Its carefully curated selection introduces visitors to traditional handicrafts, locally inspired souvenirs, food products, gifts and contemporary creations by Sabah entrepreneurs.

TAKING HOME A PIECE OF SABAH

For international and domestic visitors, discovering a destination often extends beyond landscapes and attractions. The objects, flavours and craftsmanship encountered along the journey become lasting expressions of place.

Datuk Jafry highlighted the importance of local products in completing the Sabah tourism experience, noting that they allow visitors to discover the state’s culture, creativity and identity through the work of local artisans and entrepreneurs.




This philosophy gives Kadaiku a distinctive role within Kota Kinabalu’s visitor experience. Every handcrafted piece, locally inspired gift and Sabah-made product has the potential to become more than a purchase. It becomes a tangible reminder of the destination and the people behind it.

A PLATFORM FOR LOCAL CREATIVITY

According to Hady Syam, Chief Executive Officer of Sri Pelancongan Sabah, Kadaiku will continue strengthening its role as a platform connecting Sabah’s local producers with the tourism market.

Through greater visibility and commercial opportunities, the destination aims to bring authentic Sabah products closer to visitors while creating meaningful market access for local entrepreneurs.

The relocation to Api-Api Centre further enhances Kadaiku’s accessibility for local communities, domestic travellers and international visitors exploring Kota Kinabalu.

THE ART OF TRAVEL, THE SOUVENIR OF PLACE

There is an increasingly sophisticated dimension to modern tourism: travellers are looking for experiences with authenticity, provenance and cultural meaning.

In this landscape, Kadaiku becomes part of Sabah’s broader tourism narrative. It offers visitors an opportunity to pause, explore and discover the creative heritage of the state through products that carry a distinctly local character.




As Sabah prepares for Visit Sabah 2027, platforms such as Kadaiku are positioned to enrich the visitor journey by encouraging travellers to discover, appreciate and purchase locally made products, while simultaneously supporting Sabah’s artisans, craft practitioners and entrepreneurs.

For FAVSTYLE, Kadaiku represents an elegant expression of Sabah Made: where heritage meets contemporary creativity, and where the art of bringing something home becomes part of the art of travelling.

Kadaiku
Api-Api Centre, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
A retail platform for Sabah handicrafts, souvenirs and locally made products, owned and managed by Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn. Bhd.

Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

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