I could not understand why there'd be a big 2 day rapid tournament in Sabah until someone alerted me to the fact that there is also a National States Chess Championship (formerly known as the Interstates) Team event.

Details :-Malaysian Chess Federation , Sabah Chess Association and the Sabah Chess Academy is organizing National States Chess Championship (previously known as Interstates) at the Likas Square Apartment Hotel from 1^st to 3^rd August 2018.
Two sections :-

• Open
• Women

Total 6/7 rounds, with a single game for each round, Swiss system for Teams. The time control is 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment starting from move 1.
Team composition:
4 players + one reserve/captain (optional).
Package:
3 days staying at the apartment hotel including breakfast, lunch and dinner for 5 persons.

Contact persons:-

1. Mr Chi Yin Phin
   Email: chiyinphin@gmail.com
   Phone: 0128279991
2. Mdm Joeanne Lee
   Email: soon_ee80@hotmail.com
   Phone: 0128030533
3. Mr Sophian A. Yusuf
   Email: sophian@malaysiachess.com

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/CkCiJw5Sp9D2

Taken from : http://sabahchess.com/v1/index.php/national-states-championship-2018/schedule.html
Cash Awards
8.1       Men Team Category
8.1.1                Gold                RM 3,000;
8.1.2                Silver               RM 2,000;
8.1.3                Bronze             RM 1,000.


8.2       Women Team Category
8.2.1                Gold                RM 3,000;
8.2.2                Silver               RM 2,000;
8.2.3                Bronze             RM 1,000.
So it is a big event. The "Sabah Chess Festival" that lasts almost one week. Quite costly too at RM 2500 per team but that includes accomodation for all the team members at the Hotel.

P/S:- Thanks to Wee Zhun and Ahmad Muzaffar for alerting me to this event.

Will not be there but will keep an eye on chess-results as the event progresses.