Sabah, Malaysia, warning

The State Department continues to warn of the risks of traveling to the coastal eastern areas of the Malaysian state of Sabah, northern Borneo, due to threats from criminal gangs and terrorists. (See May ’13, pg. 18.)

In August 2013, Malaysian officials thwarted an attempt to kidnap foreign tourists from a resort on Mabul Island. In November, a tourist was killed and his wife abducted at a resort on Pom Pom Island. There have been attempts to waylay ferries from the mainland traveling to the resort islands.

Anyone planning travel in these areas is urged to arrange direct transportation through reputable tour operators or hotels.