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Remove travel advisory on Sabah, US urged
January 19, 2010

PETALING JAYA: The Foreign Ministry has urged the US Ambassador to Malaysia to review the travel alert for the popular tourist destination of eastern Sabah in light of the “sound security arrangement” and assurances by Malaysian leaders.

The ministry’s deputy secretary-general I Datuk Mohd Radzi Abd Rahman, who met with US Ambassador James R. Keith on Monday, said that the travel alert could create a wrong, misleading and negative impression to the outside world on the security situation in Malaysia as a whole, in relation to terrorist threats.

Radzi claimed that the actual security situation in the eastern part of Sabah -- including Mabul, Sipadan and Semporna -- was far from what was detailed in the travel alert issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the US State Department on Jan 15. “The travel alert has generated anxiety, confusion and surprise from Malaysian leaders and the public over the alleged security situation in the popular tourist resorts in Eastern Sabah,” said a statement issued by the ministry on Tuesday.

Last Friday, the US State Department issued a travel alert advising Americans to consider the risks associated with travel to eastern Sabah due to the possible threats from terrorist and criminal groups. Radzi said the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and heads of Malaysian security agencies have issued statements and assurances on the actual security situation in the region.

He also emphasised that the Government was fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of visitors and citizens alike. “Foreign travellers and tourists need not be unduly worried when coming to Sabah as the situation is peaceful,” it said.

Source :- http://thestar.com.my