KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s business community needs to take advantage of the state’s improved security situation to highlight its safety to investors and tourists, says former chief minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee.
He said after decades of cross-border crimes like kidnapping tarnishing Sabah’s safety image, the authorities needed to highlight Sabah’s improved security to dispel lingering negative perceptions among potential foreign investors and tourists.
“The tourism authorities, chambers of commerce and business groups should highlight this new designation of Sabah as a safe destination to visit and to do business,” he said in a statement on Monday (Sept 14).
He was responding to the United States updating its travel advisory in February to mainland Sabah to Level One, which tells visitors to “exercise normal precautions”, and Level Two for islands on the east coast (to exercise increased caution), from High Risk previously.
“The US has the most competent and extensive security assessment capability in this region, especially in the Philippines where the US happens to have extensive business and security interests.
“This categorisation of Sabah’s safe status is being followed by other countries such as Japan and Korea,” he said.
The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president added that many foreign travellers and business people monitor such travel advisories due to their impact on travel insurance and safety arrangements.
Yong gave kudos to the Sabah government, Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) and all security services for their achievements in securing Sabah as a safe and secure place, including at the East Coast.
