09 March 2013| last updated at 11:37PM
'Sabah tourist sites operating as usual 'BEEFED UP SECURITY: Tourism board assures visitors areas are safe
IT is business as usual for the tourism industry, hotels and island resorts, river, jungle and mountain lodges, throughout Sabah, including in the east coast.
The Sabah Tourism Board assured visitors and its partners worldwide that all tourist facilities were operating as usual.
Its general manager and board director Datuk Irene Benggon Charuruks said in a press release yesterday: "The various dive destinations of Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking, Pom Pom, Pandanan, Lankayan and Selingan are open for business and visitors.
"In the past few years, the government has installed armed national security personnel on these islands and this week, security has been beefed up."
Irene said the National Security Council (NSC) had confirmed there was no prohibition to visiting the resort islands, enabling all activities to continue as usual.
"Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak flew in to inspect security operations in the areas to ensure the safety and security of Sabah.
"The prime minister also announced the establishment of the Special Security Area along the entire east coast of Sabah, from Kudat in the north, to Tawau in the southeast, to prevent any intrusions.
"The government is mobilising five additional battalions comprising the army, police and maritime officials to these areas, including the islands, to ensure safety and security."
Irene said the remote coastal village Kampung Tanduo that was occupied by armed intruders and nearby Kampung Tanjung Batu have been cordoned off by security forces.
She said these were remote villages, more than 150km from Lahad Datu town, and hence were not on the tourist route.
"There are no tourism attractions in these areas."
Irene said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar had also assured people to go about their daily activities and not to panic or listen to rumours.
The Foreign Ministry yesterday confirmed it did not issue any travel advisory for Malaysians wishing to visit the Philippines.
A spokesman said besides the March 5 demonstration in Manila by a small group of local interest groups to voice their views about the situation in Lahad Datu, there were no other incidents over the issue.
She said both the Malaysian Embassy in Manila and the Malaysian Consulate General in Davao City remained open as usual.
However, in the light of developments in Lahad Datu, she said Wisma Putra encouraged all Malaysian citizens in the Philippines to pay utmost attention to their safety and security and exercise additional precaution in their daily activities.
