US warns visitors to Borneo - do you have a view?

[Bronson]

"The US Embassy in Malaysia has issued a travel advisory warning that criminal and terrorist groups were planning attacks against foreigners in the Borneo island state of Sabah. Sabah is located near the southern border of the Philippines. The Abu Sayyaf militant group, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group known for kidnapping and beheading hostages, operates there."

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Does anyone have a view on this topic?

 

[Lj82]

I'm curious as to whether this new advisory was due to latest intelligence or just because of that infamous kidnapping incident in 2000.

 

[eugene73]

erm.. this would actually be a good time to go Sipadan.. less crowded due to the new advisory.

 

[Dreamdivegirl]

Hi, the US and UK Embassy (Foreign Office) have just updated their travel profile for Sabah. You can read the British Foreign Office Travel Advice at Malaysia travel advice

There not saying don't go to Sabah, just to exercise more caution than normal if going diving in the Sipadan / Semporna Area. I'd suggest you contact the Resort you have booked with and just ask the what extra precautions they will be taking to ensure you have a safe, fun diving experience.

Enjoy your diving holiday in Sabah.

 

[Dreamdivegirl]

Sorry - link for the British Foreign Office Travel Advice can be found at Malaysia travel advice

 

[broadreach]

It is a scary thought, especially since
1. an attack has happened there in the past. and
2. this update probably based on some sort of NEW information.

Nevertheless, if you take travel warnings too seriously you might as well stay home and never travel anywhere.

 

[InDaWata]

I was in Bali over the Christmas vacation, including New Years. Apparently there was some major advisory at that time- I didnt even hear about it!

But, I stayed safe and sound (so did everyone else!). Thats why I think you have to make your own plans 90% of the time. When ever there is something big that goes down, you never hear about it before hand, do you?

 

[OnTheSpot]

Yes this is sad. Anyone who knows anything about the area knows that there is a very strong and reassuring security presence along the Sabah coastline. It seems practically impossible for there to be a repeat of the kidnappings from 10 years ago on any island where there is a dive resort.

The Malaysian government knows how important the islands off the East coast of Sabah are to the economy and you often see military boats on the horizon and navy patrols around the islands.

As said above, if you listen to travel advisories, you wouldn't leave your house. In fact many of those who do pay heed to them, actually live in places statistically far more dangerous that the destination warned against - the murder rate in Washington D.C. anyone?

One has to wonder about the motivation behind such announcements. It would certainly assist US interests in future arms negotiations between the US and the Philippines, or indeed anyone else in the region. Since when has US intelligence been reliable or obejctive anyway?

I take these warnings with the pinch of salt they deserve.

More reaction here: BERNAMA - Sabah Tourism Not Affected By US Travel Advisory

 

[Kevrumbo]

Luckily & unknowingly, I departed on the last boat back to Semporna before the first infamous Abu Sayyaf Raid & Hostage taking later that evening, Easter Sunday April 23, 2000. (Was having such a fun time at Borneo Divers' Lodge that I was considering extending my stay:amazed: ).

I remember the week before reading on the US State Dept web site about warnings regarding travel to the southern Philippines/Mindanao, and Muslim insurgent & terrorist actions in the region --and promptly dismissed the advisory since I was traveling only to Malaysia. . . (I'm a lot better with my Geography knowledge these days).

The point is just be briefed, informed and aware of your surroundings as best you can before going & while on holiday.

 

[AquaExplorer]

While I recognize that these alerts can be alarming and make one want to stay home, thus are easily downplayed. One must remember that there ARE people in these areas that do want to do harm to people.

I, personally, can think of 100 other places to dive that do not have the risk of Muslim extremists want to kidnap me and my wife..with all the attendant horror that goes along with that.

If you still go to these places, be careful, stay alert, and realize that all of that may not do any good and you can be kidnapped.