KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's tourism authorities will work with the management of Masjid Bandaraya, one of the city's most visited landmarks, to streamline tourist management amid rising concerns about crowd control and visitor behaviour.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew (pic) said this was to ensure that visitors have a memorable experience when exploring Sabah’s attractions while respecting the sanctity of particular areas.
"We take tourism management at Masjid Bandaraya seriously and are actively engaging with relevant stakeholders to address concerns," she said in a statement on Monday (Feb 3).
Often referred to as the Likas Floating Mosque, Masjid Bandaraya is admired for its stunning Islamic architecture and picturesque setting against the South China Sea.
As the largest mosque in Kota Kinabalu, it attracts thousands of worshippers and also tourists.
Concerns have emerged of late over visitor management, including conditions set for tourists and safety issues involving independent travellers using e-hailing services.
Some visitors have also been seen taking photos in unsuitable locations, raising the alarm among both mosque and tourism authorities.
Liew said her ministry is working closely with stakeholders to ensure that Masjid Bandaraya remains a welcoming and well-managed attraction.
"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," she said.
She stressed that the ministry was committed to fostering collaboration with local authorities to cement Sabah’s reputation as a world-class travel destination.
She said in line with these efforts, the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) industrial support committee met with Masjid Bandaraya's tourism management team on Tuesday (Jan 28) to discuss key concerns related to visitors.
Among the issues highlighted was the increasing number of free independent travellers, or those travelling without tour guides or travel agency assistance, using e-hailing services and accessing certain areas of the premises.
Concerns were also raised about the need for further measures such as added signage for visitors, and the revision of the mosque's standard operating procedures for tourism and transport providers.
Liew said a special engagement session this month will bring together key stakeholders, including Masjid Bandaraya’s management, tour operators, licensed tour guides, e-hailing service providers, and relevant government agencies such as the Public Works Department (JKR), Kota Kinabalu City Hall, the police, and the federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
Liew said the session will be an opportunity to brief stakeholders on the revised SOPs and gather feedback to fine-tune visitor management.
STB will also collaborate with e-hailing service providers to establish designated drop-off and pick-up points at the mosque.
Additionally, discussions with JKR will explore the possibility of setting up a dedicated drop-off zone for tour buses to improve traffic flow.
Liew said enforcement action will also be taken against unauthorised transport operators, particularly illegal white vans operating outside regulatory guidelines.
Masjid Bandaraya has long been a favourite among tourists seeking a glimpse of Sabah’s rich Islamic heritage, with its grand domes and serene reflection on the adjacent lagoon making it one of the most photographed sites in the city.
Its growing popularity has also presented challenges in managing large crowds, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring that visitors respect the sanctity of the mosque.
Concerns over inappropriate tourist behaviour such as taking selfies in unsuitable areas or entering restricted sections of the mosque have also been raised.
