In 1888, Sarawak, Brunei, and what is now Sabah were at last grouped together as a British protectorate, North Borneo, but it did not gain the status of a crown colony.
272128
North Borneo was a group of three put together as a British protectorate.
272129
Sarawak, Brunei, and Sabah have never been related to each other in any capacity.