Kopi'vosian and Easter Greetings from Sabah!
The Sabah Tourism Board wish to assure our visitors and partners worldwide that the tourism industry, hotels, island resorts, river, jungle and mountain lodges and activities throughout Sabah including the east coast, are operating business as usual. The various dive destinations of Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking, Pom Pom, Pandanan, Lankayan and Selingan Turtle Island are open for business. In the past few years Malaysian Government has installed armed security personnel on these islands and further beefed up. The National Security Council (NSC) confirmed there is no prohibition to visit the resort islands. All activities continue as usual.
Since Monday 11th March, Malaysian security forces fully secured the remote coastal village Kampung Tanduo, the ground zero where armed intruders holed in for a month. Sabah Commissioner of Police Datuk Hamza Taib said the operations with Tanduo had ended. The security forces are in the final stages of clearing any gunmen in nearby villages Tanjung Batu and Sungai Bilis. The villages are more than 150km from Lahad Datu town and they are NOT in the tourist route.
The State Government and people of Sabah welcome the Prime Minister's announcement of the setting up of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) along the entire east coast of Sabah from Kudat in the north to Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Tawau in the southeast. This is timely to prevent intrusions, illegal entry and smuggling from neighbouring countries. The mobilisation of additional battalions comprising the army, police and maritime is for the significant enhancement of the security and safety of the whole Sabah east coast, including the islands.
The USA Homeland security has its complex military efforts of 3,169km US-Mexico border against infiltrations and smuggling. The Australian Government has its ADF operations that defends homeland Australia that extends up to 200nm around the mainland Australia to the faraway islands - Christmas, Cocos, Keeling, Norfolk, Heard, Macquarie and Lord Howe Islands to protect Australia's maritime domain from security threats that include illegal arrivals, maritime terrorism etc.
We welcome the revised and favourable Foreign Travel Advisories. Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar assured the public, visitors and tourists their safety. "I would like to assure tourists that it is safe to travel to Sabah." Ismail said.
Thank You. Terima Kasih.
DATUK IRENE BENGGON CHARURUKS
General Manager/Board Director
Email: irene@sabahtourism.com
-www.sabahtourism.com
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