On 2 September 1984, the then YBAM President Tan Gin Soon and the then General Secretary Leong Kok Hing convened 5 Buddhist organisations in Sabah at the Centre of K. K. Tzer Ying Sze Buddhist Temple preparatory committee (predecessor of K.K. Tzer Ying Buddhism Research Society) to set up the Sabah State Liaison Committee and held the first SLC executive committee meeting. The meeting elected the Chairman of the Maha Bodhi Society Tawau Preparatory Committee Ku Chiew Liang as the first Chairperson of Sabah SLC.

On 13 October 1984, the first Sabah SLC was officially sworn in at the Preparatory Committee Centre of Maha Bodhi Society Tawau, opening a new chapter for the Sabah Buddhist community. This also marked the beginning of Dharma Propagation in an organisational structure.

The establishment of the Sabah & Labuan SLC not only upholds YBAM's inherent ambitions but also promotes the quality and recognition of the Member Organisations at the interstate level. The SLC not only provides an interactive platform for the communication and exchange between Member Organisations but also serves as a consultation channel for mutual visits and current events.

From the 5 founding Member Organisations to a total of 17 Member Organisations today, this is not an easy task for the state of Sabah & Labuan and there are indeed blood, sweat and, tears along the way.