PUTRAJAYA welcomed the decision by numerous countries to reduce travel advisories for the eastern coast of Sabah, as security in the region has markedly improved over recent years.
Nations that previously urged citizens to avoid travel to the area, including the United States, Japan and South Korea, have now moved their warnings from level three to level two.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan told parliament that the downgrade is a direct result of sustained security measures in the area, noting that no incidents of kidnap-for-ransom have been reported in the past five years.
“This is thanks to the establishment of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), which is responsible for maintaining safety in the region and tackling kidnappings and pirate attacks.
“There have been no reports of robbery or pirate attacks on the islands or mainland of eastern Sabah,” he said during a Dewan Rakyat session today.
Mohamad added, “Alhamdulillah, out of the 25 countries that previously issued level-three travel advisories, many have already reduced them to level two. This means the area can now be visited, although travellers are still advised to exercise caution.”
He was responding to a question from Datuk Vernon Bahanda concerning the government’s efforts to have the travel status reassessed, a move aimed at boosting tourism and economic productivity in Sabah.
Addressing a supplementary question on the government’s ongoing efforts to promote the region’s safety and engage with countries issuing advisories, Mohamad said that Malaysia, through its Foreign Ministry, Interior Ministry and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has actively engaged in bilateral and multilateral discussions.
“We highlight how conditions in eastern Sabah have changed and are no longer as they were before. Each year, we invite foreign delegations, particularly from countries issuing travel warnings, to visit the area in person so they can see the situation for themselves,” he explained.
He added that sustained monitoring and security enforcement in areas such as Kudat, Semporna, and Lahad Datu have transformed eastern Sabah into a tourist destination, attracting visitors from countries that once imposed strict travel warnings. - January 26, 2026
