Sabah is calling for a diplomatic push to encourage foreign missions in Malaysia to reassess and lower travel advisories for Eastern Sabah, citing sustained improvements in security across the region, Bernama reported.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said stronger communication with foreign embassies and high commissions on the Eastern Sabah Security Zone’s (ESS Zone) security progress could boost international tourist confidence and encourage more visitors to the state’s east coast destinations.
“This is important so that they can reassess and subsequently consider lowering their travel advisories for Eastern Sabah, based on the positive developments, particularly the fact that no kidnap-for-ransom cases have been reported in the area since January 2020.
“Overall, the security situation in the ESS Zone (Eastern Sabah Security Zone) is good and remains under control,” he said in a statement after co-chairing the ESS Zone Joint Committee meeting with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday.
Hajiji said the region’s six-year zero-kidnapping record was a significant milestone achieved through the efforts of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) and other security agencies.
He added that he had recently visited six islands in Sabah waters to inspect security posts and assess operational readiness.
The Sabah government will continue working with the Home Ministry to upgrade security assets, strengthen operational preparedness and improve the welfare of personnel stationed along the frontier, he said.
