Most towns of Sabah are generally safe, but the general rule of not showing off your wealth openly in the public is advisable as pick-pocketing is a danger especially in poorer areas while robbery is rare. You can still shop safely around the towns and cities.
talk
Most people in Sabah understand English some of them can even speak the language fluently and practically all Sabahans understand and can speak Malay language in the form of Sabahan Malay dialect. Major Chinese dialects are spoken in most urban areas. In the rural areas, Kadazan-Dusun and Murut language are mainly spoken.