Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has welcomed Japan’s decision to lower its travel advisory level for parts of Eastern Sabah, saying it reflects improved security conditions in the state.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin (pic) said the move recognised continuous efforts by security agencies to strengthen enforcement, monitoring and visitor protection.
He said the revised advisory lowered the status for islands off Eastern Sabah from Level 3 to Level 2, while coastal areas from Kudat to Tawau were reduced from Level 2 to Level 1.
Jafry said the change was based on improvements including zero kidnapping-for-ransom cases since 2020 and stronger coordination among enforcement agencies.
He said Sabah would continue strengthening security while preparing for Visit Sabah Year 2027, and called on airline partners to improve flight connectivity to support tourism growth.
