Latest news with #EasternSabahSecurityCommand
The Sun
07-07-2025
- The Sun
Sabah tourism earns RM3.3bil in receipts for the first five months of 2025
SEMPORNA: Sabah's tourism sector has shown strong growth in the first five months of 2025, generating RM3.3 billion in tourism receipts from 1.44 million visitor arrivals. The state's improving security and international appeal have contributed to this upward trend. Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai credited the rise in tourist numbers to enhanced security measures, particularly the efforts of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom). He noted that Sabah has had no kidnapping-for-ransom incidents in recent years, reinforcing its reputation as a safe destination. 'This complements the continuous efforts of the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to position Sabah as a safe and welcoming destination,' he said. According to STB data, international visitors made up 559,150 arrivals, while domestic tourists accounted for 879,420. China remained the leading international market with 243,688 visitors, followed by South Korea with 76,685. European arrivals also saw a significant increase, rising by 25.6 per cent to 35,240 visitors. The United Kingdom and Ireland led with 13,910 arrivals, followed by Germany (3,854) and France (2,750). The United States contributed 9,356 arrivals, while Canada recorded 2,949. - Bernama
Barnama
06-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Sabah Tourism Generates RM3.3 Mln In First Five Months Of 2025
SEMPORNA, July 6 (Bernama) -- Sabah has generated RM3.3 million in tourism receipts after recording around 1.44 million visitor arrivals between January and May this year - a positive sign that the state's tourism sector is on an upward trajectory, supported by the collective efforts of security agencies, local communities, and industry players. Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said that the steady rise in visitor arrivals, particularly from international markets, is closely tied to Sabah's strong security framework, which is diligently maintained by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom). He added that Sabah has recorded zero kidnapping-for-ransom incidents in recent years, underscoring ESSCom's commitment to safeguarding the state's waters and local communities.
The Sun
06-07-2025
- The Sun
Sabah tourism earns RM3.3 mln in first five months of 2025
SEMPORNA: Sabah's tourism sector has shown strong growth in the first five months of 2025, generating RM3.3 million in revenue from 1.44 million visitor arrivals. The state's improving security and international appeal have contributed to this upward trend. Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai credited the rise in tourist numbers to enhanced security measures, particularly the efforts of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom). He noted that Sabah has had no kidnapping-for-ransom incidents in recent years, reinforcing its reputation as a safe destination. 'This complements the continuous efforts of the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to position Sabah as a safe and welcoming destination,' he said. According to STB data, international visitors made up 559,150 arrivals, while domestic tourists accounted for 879,420. China remained the leading international market with 243,688 visitors, followed by South Korea with 76,685. European arrivals also saw a significant increase, rising by 25.6 per cent to 35,240 visitors. The United Kingdom and Ireland led with 13,910 arrivals, followed by Germany (3,854) and France (2,750). The United States contributed 9,356 arrivals, while Canada recorded 2,949. - Bernama
The Star
06-07-2025
- The Star
No longer just safe, but thriving
Site visit: Saifuddin Nasution visiting a border control post on Mataking Island in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone. — Bernama KOTA KINABALU: Sabah, particularly the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), remains a safe and secure destination for foreign tourists, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Once marred by past security incidents, he said the region is now seeing tourism flourish and local livelihoods improve, which is a clear result of sustained peace and targeted development. 'This year marks the second time the Home Ministry, in collaboration with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), has brought diplomats and foreign representatives from the United States, Australia, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, China, South Korea and Spain for a series of one-day visits to key tourist locations within the ESSZone,' he said. 'Security is no longer the only story here. It is about transformation. What we see today is the direct outcome of peace: jobs, income and thriving tourism,' he said during a site visit to Semporna's islands with a delegation of diplomatic representatives and officials yesterday. Also present was Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. Saifuddin Nasution said tourist arrivals to Sabah's east coast have more than quadrupled since 2022. Official figures show 64,470 tourist arrivals in 2022, which jumped to 313,128 in 2023 and reached 319,479 by the end of May 2024. 'These are not just tourists from anywhere. Many are from countries that previously issued travel advisories to their citizens regarding the east coast of Sabah. 'This surge in visitors is proof that the perception is changing, people are coming back, and in bigger numbers,' he added. He said that countries such as Japan are already reviewing their travel advisories here following previous diplomatic engagements, adding that progress is being made with others like the United States, Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. 'These advisories still hold weight and affect public perception. That is why we do not wait for second-hand assumptions, we invite foreign representatives to experience the situation for themselves.' He said that the region's turnaround is not accidental, but a result of coordinated efforts under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and the Federal Government's Madani Economic Framework. He added that face-to-face engagements with international stakeholders remain the ministry's preferred strategy in changing outdated perceptions. 'There is no substitute for direct experience. 'We want them to see, hear and understand what Sabah really is today,' he said. With positive changes taking root, Saifuddin Nasution said the ultimate goal is for countries to revise travel warnings that no longer reflect the current reality.
The Star
05-07-2025
- The Star
Sabah's east coast not just safe, but thriving, says Home Minister
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's east coast is no longer just a safe zone, it has become a thriving region that has been transformed by peace, prosperity and growing global confidence, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The Home Minister said that the region, once marred by past security incidents, was now seeing tourism flourish and local livelihoods improve, a clear result of sustained peace and targeted development. 'Security is no longer the only story here. It is about transformation. What we see today is the direct outcome of peace: jobs, income, and thriving tourism,' said Saifuddin during a site visit to Semporna's islands with a delegation of foreign diplomats and officials on Saturday (July 5). Also present was state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. Saifuddin noted that tourist arrivals to Sabah's east coast have more than quadrupled since 2022. Official figures show 64,470 tourist arrivals in 2022, which jumped to 313,128 in 2023 and reached 319,479 by the end of May 2024. 'These are not just tourists from anywhere. Many are from countries that previously issued travel advisories. This surge in visitors is living proof that the perception is changing, people are coming back, and in bigger numbers,' Saifuddin said. He said that countries such as Japan are already reviewing their travel advisories following previous diplomatic engagements, adding that progress is being made with others like the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. 'These advisories still hold weight and affect public perception. That is why we do not wait for second-hand assumptions, we invite foreign representatives to experience the situation for themselves,' he told reporters. He shared an example of one of the emerging success stories at Kampung Indra Sabah, a quiet island village now gaining traction among divers and eco-tourists, where the community, once dependent solely on fishing, had begun to pivot towards tourism, offering homestays, boat services, and cultural experiences. 'The peace we have built here is opening up new avenues for locals. Families are earning more, young people are finding jobs without having to leave home, and small businesses are growing,' said Saifuddin. Saifuddin stressed that the region's turnaround is not accidental, but a result of coordinated efforts under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) and alignment with the Federal Government's Madani Economic Framework. 'Peace is not just the absence of conflict. It is the presence of opportunity. Sabah's east coast is proof that when security is guaranteed, prosperity follows. This is the MADANI vision in action, empowering communities and uplifting lives,' he said. He added that face-to-face engagements with international stakeholders remain the ministry's preferred strategy in changing outdated perceptions. 'There is no substitute for direct experience. We want them to see, hear, and understand what Sabah really is today,' he said. With positive changes taking root, Saifuddin said the ultimate goal is for countries to revise travel warnings that no longer reflect the current reality. 'Look at the visitor numbers, the thriving communities, the booming tourism sector. This is not just about being safe. It is about a region that's alive, ambitious, and on the rise,' he said. Meanwhile, he gave top marks to ESSCom and its partner agencies for their seamless coordination in safeguarding the state's east coast. He highlighted how security forces across nine districts are working in synchronisation, with rotational deployments ensuring a constant presence on land and sea, noting that Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN this year has boosted joint operations, intelligence sharing, and evolving cross-border strategies, reinforcing the region's stability. To complement these efforts, Saifuddin said tourism police units are being strengthened to provide on-the-ground support to travellers. Their presence ensures quick assistance, helps build trust among foreign visitors, and contributes to a more secure and welcoming environment across key tourism zones. Saifuddin took the foreign visitors to visit four islands in Semporna, namely Omadal, Sibuan, Bohey Dulang, and Mataking.
