Australia government warns citizens of kidnappings in Sabah

February 08, 2012

LABUAN, Feb 8 — Sabah police are always vigilant and take seriously threats related to the kidnapping of tourists in the waters of the East Malaysian state, Bernama Online reported the state police commissioner as saying today.

Datuk Hamza Taib was commenting on a recent travel advisory by the Australian government recommending that its citizens exercise caution when travelling to Sabah.

He told the news portal that the responsibility of ensuring security was shouldered by the police and other enforcement agencies such as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the Armed Forces and the Customs Department.

In January, a travel advisory was posted on the website smartraveller.gov.au, which falls under the purview of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, warning that terrorists “continue to plan kidnapping operations in Sabah waters”.

The advisory recommended Australians to “exercise a high degree of caution” in coastal areas of western Sabah and “reconsider your need to travel” to islands, dive sites and coastal areas of eastern Sabah.

In the past, the Abu Sayyaf Group, based in the Philippines, has kidnapped foreigners from the east coast of Sabah, islands such as Sipadan, Mataking and Pandanan as well as surrounding waters.

Hamza said today Malaysian authorities have increased security in the region as a result of these incidents.