UK to reassess travel ban on Sabah's east coast

17 November 2024

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment has received assurances from United Kingdom officials that the longstanding travel advisory against visiting Sabah's east coast will be reviewed.

During a recent courtesy call in London, Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew held discussions with Charles Hay, the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the New Straits Times reported.

The meeting focused on the advisory, which currently discourages all but essential travel to the islands and dive sites along Sabah’s east coast due to concerns over kidnapping threats.

Liew extended an invitation to Hay to visit Sabah and personally observe the state’s improved security measures.

She emphasized Sabah's commitment to ensuring the safety of its residents and tourists, particularly in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).

In July, the UK was among nine countries that participated in a security briefing and survey programme organized by the Malaysian Home Ministry.

Led by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the programme provided foreign representatives with first-hand insight into the security initiatives implemented along Sabah's eastern coastline.

Hay, who previously served as the British High Commissioner to Malaysia in 2019, acknowledged the improvements in security and expressed appreciation for the Malaysian government’s efforts to address safety concerns.

Meanwhile, Julinus Jeffery Jimit, CEO of the Sabah Tourism Board, highlighted the growing number of UK and Irish visitors to Sabah this year.

“From January to August 2024, we recorded 20,140 arrivals from the UK and Ireland, a 6.8% increase compared to 18,851 during the same period last year,” he noted.

The review of the UK’s travel advisory is seen as a crucial step in boosting tourism in Sabah, particularly on its east coast, renowned for its pristine islands, world-class diving spots, and rich biodiversity.