Borneo is the 3rd largest island in the world and has a population of just under 16m. It is split into the territories of Indonesia (73%) and Malaysia and Brunei (27%). It has the highest mountain in South East Asia (Mt. Kinabalu 13,500ft.) and longest river in Indonesia.

Most of Borneo is tropical rainforest which  is 130million years old (70m older than the Amazon). It is one of the most bio diverse places on earth but has recently had problems with logging and growing palm oil plantations. 

Borneo generates massive GDP to Malaysia but it's two states (Sabah, Sarawak) are the poorest. This is due to unfair distribution of wealth from the Federal Government. Sabah has three times the national poverty rate.

From 15th to 17th century the Sultan of Brunei controlled much of Borneo until the Dutch arrived in the 1700's. In the 19th century Britain began trading with the country and took control of some areas. During the Second World War the Japanese had control of the island and were particularly brutal to the locals and POW's.

In 1961 the British proposed to combine North Borneo with what was then Malaya to form Malaysia. This caused uproar from Indonesia who controlled Southern Borneo. War was declared in 1963 with Northern Borneo the victor.

Following the war any Indonesians or Phillipinos present in Northern Borneo were unable to legally work, vote or receive healthcare, education or any other state benefits.