KOTA KINABALU: Security in Sabah’s east coast remains at the highest level, with no untoward incidents reported in recent years, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Chief Minister gave the assurance during a courtesy call by Malaysian Ambassador to France, Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim, at his office in Menara Kinabalu on Tuesday (June 3).
During the meeting, Hajiji also welcomed the rise in French tourist arrivals to Sabah, noting that France is now the third-highest source of European visitors to the state, after Britain and Germany.
“French arrivals in the first quarter of this year saw a 26.8% increase, reaching 2,116 visitors compared to 1,669 in the same period last year — and the number continues to grow,” he said in a statement.
Hajiji expressed confidence that proactive and aggressive promotion efforts would further boost French tourism to Sabah.
He and Eldeen also discussed strategic collaboration opportunities between Sabah and France, particularly in tourism, which they said would benefit the state and its people.
Eldeen, a Kuala Lumpur native, was appointed Ambassador to France in April 2024 and has held various key positions, including as Malaysia’s envoy to Cambodia.
Also present were state Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman, STB chief executive officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit, Tourism Malaysia international promotions director Akbal Setia and Tourism Malaysia Paris director Zalina Ahmad.
To date, several countries — including the US, Britain, Canada and Australia — continue to maintain travel advisories cautioning against visiting eastern Sabah, particularly coastal and island areas, due to concerns over potential kidnappings and security risks.
