Gotta catch ‘em all... even in Kinarut: Pokémon card craze officially reaches small-town Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, June 22 — The Pokémon trading card boom has now reached even small towns like Kinarut.

Small wonder, as a single Pokémon can now fetch thousands of ringgit, with top-graded pieces valued higher than their weight in gold.

Collectors are seeing strong demand for graded ‘slabs’, with a grade 10 ‘Bubble Mew’ by the Professional Sports Authenticator valued at RM2,000, while sealed boxes have gone for up to RM3,000.

In Kinarut, the hobby has taken root through Kinarut Tabletop Gaming, a community founded in 2024 with about 60 members.

Operating from a converted phone repair shop at Palm Square, the group offers trading cards, Gunpla kits, figurines and painting stations.

Led by Martin Eddung, 42, alongside Shahrizal Silent, 32, Ian Shim, 37, and Abel Alexius Kiob, 41, the group has grown from a small circle of friends into a local hub.

Martin said the hobby is driven by passion rather than profit, despite rising values.

“This hobby won’t make you wealthy. It’s about the experience. While Warhammer is often seen as expensive, there are more accessible entry points. But it helps as a side income,” he said.

Initially focused on Pokémon and One Piece cards, the group has since expanded into Gunpla and Warhammer, with Pokémon cards and Gunpla kits remaining top sellers.

Ian, who began collecting cards seriously two years ago, said he rediscovered the hobby while working in Thailand, where the scene is more established.

“Cards there can be about 30 to 40 per cent the value of Japanese versions,” he said.

He started selling online last August before joining the group this year, with his personal collection now worth about RM40,000.

“I want to create a space where people can come and play,” he said, adding that the hobby also helps younger players develop English and maths skills.

He advised newcomers to spend carefully: “Buy wisely. Prices can be high, so patience is important.”

Despite challenges such as missing shipments and high taxes, the hobby continues to grow in Kinarut, a town of around 25,000 people.

In October 2025, Malaysian collector Damiral Imran went viral after selling his Pokémon card collection for RM1.87 million.

Valued at over RM2 million, the Shah Alam hoard was even offered as a trade for a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S plus RM1 million due to high import costs, but was ultimately sold outright to a local buyer. — The Borneo Post