security on Mabul & Sipadan Islands

[rakay]

We are going to Sipadan Water Village in April. The US has issued an advisory for Americans not to visit the east coast of Sabah until after April 15th.

Is their security enough to deter another 2000 incident of kidnapping?

I am a bit concerned about it. I have seen they have increased their security but I would like to hear from someone who has been there recently. Thanks.

 

[Propatriamori]

Just FYI,

This week, I received information that a group of gunman attacked Sinkivit Island, the town of Semporna on the east coast of Sabah. I have no idea how close this is to Sipidan, but I'm guessing this is in the general neighborhood.

The gunman robbed a seaweed farm and kidnapped two employees. The gunman are believed to be Sulu-based Abu Sayaf militants.

This appears to validate the travel warning issued by the US government. This warning may have forced the militants to change their plans, but I'm not an intelligence expert. It seems from my source that both the Malaysian and Philippine governments downplayed the warning and failed to act on it.

Either way, I'd say the threats to the area from militant attacks still exist, so look into it yourself with the resorts and find out what kind of security they have put in place.

 

[rakay]

We are talking about the east coast. We are supposed to fly into Tawau which is southwest of Semporna. But that is certainly the area I am talking about.

Thanks for the information. I will certainly check with the resort as our trip date nears. It seems like it may be like playing russian roulette. Maybe they will beef up the security now.

If you here more, please post as I will be checking weekly now.

 

[tstormdiver]

Not sure where Water Village is, I stayed at Boreo Diver's Mabul Resort last April. I did see a few water patrols cruise by from time to time, but no real military presence. On Sipadan Island there is a small aquatic military outpost located there at the old resort. I never at any time felt threatened. You will travel by bus (or van) from Tawau to Semporna, then likely catch a boat to your resort. At no time did I or the group I was with feel threatened. Actually a good sign was there was a group of sea gypsies who made a camp on some dilapidated piers. These nomads want nothing to do with any other people, unless forced to out of necessity. Sipadan has a check- in procedure to make sure that you are supposed to be there & you are who you say you are to maintain the quota of divers for the day. Be prepared for Sipadan to blow your mind with its beauty. The diving around Mabul, especially the House Reef, is also very good diving. Have fun on your trip!

 

[OnTheSpot]

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.

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?

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

Have a fantastic trip!

 

[Lj82]

Just FYI,

This week, I received information that a group of gunman attacked Sinkivit Island, the town of Semporna on the east coast of Sabah. I have no idea how close this is to Sipidan, but I'm guessing this is in the general neighborhood.

The gunman robbed a seaweed farm and kidnapped two employees. The gunman are believed to be Sulu-based Abu Sayaf militants.

This appears to validate the travel warning issued by the US government. This warning may have forced the militants to change their plans, but I'm not an intelligence expert. It seems from my source that both the Malaysian and Philippine governments downplayed the warning and failed to act on it.

Either way, I'd say the threats to the area from militant attacks still exist, so look into it yourself with the resorts and find out what kind of security they have put in place.

Where did you get this info from? I thought I read that it is believed to be personal feud rather than terrorist action. It certainly doesn't look like a typical terrorist attack to me.

 

[Propatriamori]

The information came from private security intelligence sources, and was quite detailed. Please understand that the details of this information are confidential to clients of these sources, so I am unable to go into specifics. As the incident recently occurred and was relevant to the question, I thought it imperative to share.

Again, there is a possibility the operation may have been changed in response to the travel advisory, and resultant security changes. A "soft target".

If I were traveling there, I would be very careful about the "spin" put on the threat by those who have a lot of tourist money at stake.

This much is for sure, despite the increased security, and response or lack thereof from both involved governments, Militants based in the Philippines are still quite capable and willing to mount attacks in eastern Sabah.

 

[gee13]

If I were traveling there, I would be very careful about the "spin" put on the threat by those who have a lot of tourist money at stake.

This much is for sure, despite the increased security, and response or lack thereof from both involved governments, Militants based in the Philippines are still quite capable and willing to mount attacks in eastern Sabah.

Why?? What do you think they will benefit from? Apart from risk being killed by Malaysian Navy personnel?

 

[Propatriamori]

What do you think they will benefit from? The same benefits they derived from the successful attack in 2000. The intention to attack tourism interests in Eastern Sabah still exists, or else there would not have been a travel warning.

Apparently the militants managed to pull this attack off, in Eastern Sabah, without being killed by Malaysian Navy personnel.

My assessment would be that the Malaysian Navy does not have a complete lock on the eastern coast of Sabah.

Your mileage may vary...

 

[InDaWata]

Wait a minute...

The gunmen attacked a seaweed farm? What sort of political motivation is behind that?