Sabah Tourism Board to review visitor guidelines for Masjid Bandaraya

 

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Tourism Board will meet with stakeholders and government agencies this month to address visitor guidelines for Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu, said state Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew.

The engagement session, chaired by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), will involve representatives from Masjid Bandaraya, tour operators, licensed tour guides, e-hailing service providers, and government agencies such as the Public Works Department (PWD), Kota Kinabalu City Hall (KKCH), police, and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac), she said.

The meeting was called following a recent incident at Masjid Bandaraya, where a video went viral showing a Chinese-speaking tourist allegedly being harassed for venturing into a restricted area.

"During the upcoming session, we will brief stakeholders on the revised SOPs and gather feedback to refine visitor management strategies," Liew said in a press statement.

Liew said STB would work with e-hailing service providers to establish proper drop-off and pick-up protocols at the mosque. "For tour buses, discussions with PWD will focus on ensuring smooth traffic flow.

Additionally, she warned that the relevant authorities would take stern action against illegal transport providers, such as unauthorised white vans, to ensure compliance with tourism regulations.

She encouraged the mosque management to provide standard uniforms for front-line staff and to offer them customer service and communication skills training to improve visitor interactions.

"As part of infrastructure improvements, plans are also underway to construct a dedicated public toilet for tourists, she said.Liew noted that the engagement session follows a meeting held on Jan 28 between STB's industrial support committee and Masjid Bandaraya's tourism management team.That meeting addressed several key issues, including the arrival of free independent travellers via e-hailing services, visitors taking photos in unsafe locations, the need for enhanced safety measures such as additional warning signage, and the revision of standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the mosque.

"These measures are being implemented to ensure tourists have a pleasant experience while visiting the state's attractions," she said.

She expressed hope that all stakeholders would work together to uphold high standards, particularly in terms of safety, visitor experience, and cleanliness.

-nst online.