SABAH is reviewing its visitor management protocols at Masjid Bandaraya following a viral video of tourists being stopped from taking photos outside the mosque.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said her ministry, through the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), is working with stakeholders to ensure better safety, service standards, and visitor experience at the site.
“We take tourism management at Masjid Bandaraya seriously and are actively engaging stakeholders to address recent concerns,” she said.
Liew said STB’s Industrial Support Committee (ISC) met with Masjid Bandaraya’s Tourism Management Team on January 28 to discuss key issues.
These includedsafety concerns over Free Independent Travellers (FITs) arriving via e-hailing services and taking photos in unsafe locations, the need for stricter safety measures, and a revision of SOPs to ensure clear guidelines for all visitors and service providers.
“To address these concerns, we will hold an engagement session this month with Masjid Bandaraya officials, tour operators, licensed tour guides, e-hailing providers, and relevant government agencies.
“These agencies include the Public Works Department (JKR), Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).
“During this session, we will present the revised SOPs and gather feedback to refine visitor management strategies,” she said.
The viral video, widely shared by Sabah news outlets, showed a man—believed to be a mosque staff member—blocking tourists from taking photos outside Masjid Bandaraya.
Another clip featured a plain-clothed individual making threatening gestures at the tourists, who are believed to be from China.
It also can be clearly heard the individual saying that “no money, then go back.”
Masjid Bandaraya is a one of the travellers recommended must-go sites when tourists visiting Kota Kinabalu.
Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Sabin Samitah has since denied that any DBKK officer was involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, Liew said STB will work with e-hailing providers to ensure proper drop-off and pick-up points for visitors.
“A proposal for a designated drop-off zone for tour buses will also be discussed with JKR to improve traffic flow and visitor convenience,” she said.
She added that enforcement action will be taken against illegal transport services operating in the area to ensure compliance with tourism regulations.
“Efforts are also underway to improve service quality and enhance the visitor experience at the mosque,” she said.
Previously, Sabah education and religious exco Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif also condemned the actions of these individuals, saying that it customary for Sabahans to be polite when meeting tourists visiting local mosques. – February 3, 2025.
