All visitors to Sabah should feel safe

3 February 2025

KOTA  KINABALU: All visitors to Sabah’s tourism sites, including the Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (MBR), should enjoy a safe and pleasant experience.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment (KePKAS) is dedicated to ensuring that everyone feels welcomed.

In light of a recent incident at MBR involving visitor restrictions, Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew has assured the public of the ministry's commitment to this goal.

She urged all stakeholders to collaborate in making MBR a welcoming and well-managed tourist attraction.

“We take tourism management issues at Masjid Bandaraya seriously and are actively engaging with relevant stakeholders to address recent concerns. It is crucial that all service providers, including transport operators and tour guides, uphold high standards, particularly in terms of safety, visitor experience, and cleanliness,” Liew said in a statement on Monday.

KEPKAS remains committed to fostering collaboration between the tourism industry and local authorities to maintain Sabah’s reputation as a world-class travel destination,  she added.

According to her, the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), through its Industrial Support Committee (ISC), held a meeting with Masjid Bandaraya’s Tourism Management Team on January 28 to discuss the matter.

The meeting addressed key issues such as Concerns over Free Independent Travellers (FITs) arriving via e-hailing services and taking photos in unsafe locations; the Need for improved safety measures, including the installation of warning signage in key areas; and Revising and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at MBR to ensure clear guidelines for all visitors and stakeholders.

Christina said KEPKAS through the STB will implement a number of proposed proactive measures, including Stakeholder Engagement and Revised SOPs, to enhance visitor management at MBR.

"Towards this end, an engagement session will be held this month, involving MBR, tour operators, licensed tour guides, e-hailing providers, and government agencies such as the Public Works Department (JKR), Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC). During this session, we will brief stakeholders on the revised SOPs and gather feedback to refine visitor management strategies."

As for Improved Transportation Management, the Minister said STB will work with e-hailing service providers to ensure proper drop-off and pick-up protocols at MBR. "The proposal for a designated drop-off zone for tour buses will be discussed with JKR to enhance traffic flow and visitor convenience."

On the pressing need to address illegal transport services, Liew said the relevant authorities will take stern action against illegal transport providers, such as unauthorised white vans, to ensure compliance with tourism regulations.

Two other proposed proactive measures are Uniform Standards for Staff, and Training and Infrastructure Improvements whereby MBR will conduct customer service and communication training for its front-line staff to improve visitor interactions. Plans are underway to construct a dedicated public toilet for tourists, according to the Minister.

All front-line personnel at MBR will be required to wear proper uniforms to ensure they are easily identifiable and accessible to visitors, Liew said.

“With these measures, we aim to improve the overall experience for visitors to Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu while ensuring that safety, service quality, and tourism regulations are observed," she added.