Military tourism doing well in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: A Malaysian navy plan to promote military tourism in Sabah is starting to bear fruit. The Royal Malaysian Navy’s Region II commander First Admiral Anuwi Hassan said the military tourism concept would not only help bring economic spin-offs for the state but also help strengthen bilateral ties with foreign countries. He said to date some 24 foreign naval ships have docked at the Sepanggar Naval base in the past three years.

“I am sure more foreign naval ships will continue to visit our base in Sepangar,” Anuwi said after hosting visiting US warship USS Frank Cable and submarine USS Houston officers at the base here yesterday. The two vessels had a personnel strength of 1,200 officers and men. He said Kota Kinabalu has become the third most popular stop after Hong Kong and Singapore among American naval ships in Asia.

He said apart from tourism, the presence of foreign navies in Sabah helped in the exchange of ideas on defence issues and also allowed for joint naval exercises. “There is a lot to be gained from visiting navies,” said Anuwi, adding that it also strengthens diplomatic and bilateral relations between countries.
-thestar online.