Travel Alert on Sabah's East Coast dive sites by several nations

KOTA KINABALU - Several nations have issued warnings to travellers to reconsider the need to travel to dive sites in the East Coast of Sabah in view of the kidnap-murder incident in Pulau Pom Pom on Nov. 15.

A statement issued by the Sabah Tourism Board, assuring travellers on safety at the islands a day after the incident did not deter several foreign ministries from urging its citizens to remain vigilant here.

Australia gave the note "reconsider your need to travel" to the coastal region of eastern Sabah, including nearby islands and dive sites, on Nov. 18.

"This incident highlights the ongoing risk of violent crime, including kidnapping, in eastern Sabah by groups based in the Southern Philippines," the Australian Foreign Ministry travel advisory said.

On Nov. 20, the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur also warned US citizens to exercise extreme caution when travelling to Semporna to the islands of Mabul, Pom Pom, Kapalai, Ligitan, Sipadan and Mataking.

It advised American travelers to remain aware of their surroundings, including local events and monitor local news stations for updates.

Meanwhile, Canada said: "Despite increased security in the region, the risk of kidnapping and violence perpetrated by Philippine militants remains, especially on resort islands and surrounding waters, including around Sipadan."

On Nov. 16, Sabah Tourism Board updated its advisory assuring that police are now investigating the case as a criminal case, for murder and abduction.

"We wish to add that all other visitors on the Resort Island of Pom Pom are safe. They are not affected by the incident and continue with their holiday-stay.

"We wish to assure that Sabah is safe to visit, including the resort islands off Semporna," said its General Manager Datuk Irene Charuruks.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) was the first to issue an "Orange" alert on visiting Sabah after several gunmen shot and killed citizen, Hsu Li Min, 57, and abducted his partner, Chang An Wei,58.

There has since been no concrete information on the whereabouts of Chang but a Taiwan Minister spoke about a RM10 million ransom being demanded by the kidnappers believed linked to the notorious Abu Sayyaf group, who had carried out no less than five kidnappings from Sabah waters since the first in 2000.