The North Borneo News, first published in 1948 in Sandakan was a fortnightly, then weekly periodical with a circulation of approximately 750.

It included a page of romanised Malay and Dusun to give it wider appeal and increased its circulation.

In late December, the newspaper's management announced that the New Sabah Times was shutting down due to declining circulation and advertising revenue.

Donald Stephens later became the first Chief Minister when Sabah gained its independence from British and joined Malaysia on 16 September, 1963.

The newspaper was revived as the New Sabah Times on 8 March 1998 after being bought by the publishing company Inna Kinabalu Sdn.