“WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE US ISSUES SUCH AN ADVISORY ANNUALLY BUT OUR SECURITY REMAINS VERY TIGHT,”

Sabah is safe for tourists, says Masidi

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is safe and tourists have no cause to worry as security along the state’s east coast remains at a high level.

This assurance was given by state Tourism, Environment and Culture Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun in response to the US Government’s latest travel advisory to its citizens to avoid the Sabah east coast in view of kidnap threats by Abu Sayyaf groups based in southern Philippines.

“We understand that the US issues such an advisory annually but our security remains very tight,” Masidi said.

“We can’t do much about the advisory but maybe the best thing is for them to come and visit the state, and see how safe it is,” he added.

Masidi also said the state was planning to hold promotions in New York during the UN General Assembly session later this year to convince Americans and others to visit Sabah.

The advisory for US citizens said the current concerns were transportation to and from resorts located in isolated areas of eastern Sabah, including Semporna, and the islands of Mabul and Sipadan.

Advising its citizens to “avoid or use extreme caution in travelling to these areas”, the advisory said terrorist and criminal groups based in southern Philippines intended to carry out acts of violence against foreigners, although Malaysia had increased its ability to detect, deter and prevent such attacks.