Rapid rural appraisal (RRA) is a systematic but semi-structured study used to gain new insight into rural life in a quick manner. The current article describes the RRA conducted in a remote village in Lahad Datu, Sabah. The RRA aimed to address the background of the rural community and identify public health issues. Collection of secondary data, key informants’ interview, field observation and a structured interview with the villagers selected via convenience sampling were applied to obtain necessary data. Findings from informal approaches were summarised. Descriptive analysis was carried out for data collected from structured interview. Water sanitation, sanitation facility, food safety, air pollution, zoonosis and non-communicable diseases were among the potential public health issues identified within the village. A total of 188 villagers participated in the structured interview. The median age was 28.0 (IQR 30.8). The percentage for manual workers were 21.3% while 13.8% were white collars. The illiteracy rate was 12.2% and the poverty rate at 48.9%. A total of 22.3% of respondents reported overcrowded households. The household environment and take-up rate of basic amenities were suboptimal. The highest self-reported chronic disease was hypertension, recording 13 cases. The foremost priority is to fill up the flaws in the public health needs of the villagers. Those challenges require participation from relevant authorities as well as individual empowerment.