Tourists warned to avoid Malaysia islands
Tourists are being urged to avoid several islands off the coast of Malaysia after heavily armed gunmen stormed a dive resort, killing a policeman and kidnapping another.
The raid at the Mabul Water Bungalows Resort on Mabul, off the east coast of Sabah, was the latest in a string of attacks in the region.
Other islands the Foreign Office said Britons should avoid include Lankayan, Pom Pom, Kapalia, Litigan, Sipadan and Mataking.
Many are popular with divers, but the Foreign Office said attacks could be indiscriminate and include places visited by ex-pats and foreign travellers.
"There is a threat to foreigners of kidnapping and criminality on the eastern coast of Sabah and in particular the islands close to the Sulu Archipeligo in the southern Philippines," it said.
On April 2, armed men abducted two women, a Chinese tourist and a Philippine hotel worker, from Singamata Reef Resort. Singamata Island is situated off the coastal town of Semporna in eastern Sabah.
On November 15, 2 Taiwanese tourists were attacked in their room at the Sipadan Pom Pom Resort, off the coast of eastern Sabah. A male tourist was killed and his wife kidnapped.
"You should take great care in the town of Sandakan and along the coastal area south to Tawau," said the FCO in a statement. "You should also take great care in areas east of Lahad Datu and around Semporna following the confrontation in March 2013 between insurgents and Malaysian security forces. Keep up to date with developments, and follow the advice of your tour operator and the local authorities."
Tan Kok Liang, vice president of the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents for inbound tourism, told local journalists the latest incident was a "blatant challenge" to Malaysia’s security.
"I urge the government to take firm measures to upgrade security. Of course such bold intrusions and the blatant challenge to our security will hurt especially diving-related tourism business," he said.
The region, which is popular with divers from the UK, saw a 10% drop in tourists in the second quarter compared to the first three months of this year.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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