Eastern Borneo is not normally a place that makes the international news. Indeed, any discussion of the region is generally the sole preserve of savvy insiders exchanging tales of the ultimate in wildlife, adventures or diving vacations. And normally the loudest disturbance heard in Sabah is the sound of an orang utang crashing through the rainforest.
However the spotlight of the world’s media shone briefly on this Malaysian territory last February as the result of a bizarre incident. Some 200 Filipino insurgents arrived in Sabah by boat from Simunul island, Tawi-Tawi in Sulu, southern Philippines and occupied the hamlet of Kampung Tanduo around 100 kilometers east of Lahad Datu in Eastern Sabah.
The invaders were staking a historic claim that gives ownership of this part of eastern Sabah, formerly known as North Borneo, to the Sulu sultanate. The Sulu archipelago of the Philippines lies just kilometers off the coast of Sabah.
The Malaysian authorities responded by dispatching security forces to the area to maintain order and safety. Meanwhile police patrol boats patrolled the coast and Filipino security agencies worked to blockade ships leaving from the southern Philippines
Having dealt with the insurgents, the authorities setup Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to protect the whole east coast of the province. The protected area runs from Kudat in the north down to Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Tawau in the southeast. Other than keeping out insurgents, the perimeter is meant to deter smuggling, piracy and illegal entry.

Storm in a Sabah Teacup

As a result of these skirmishes, many Western governments issued negative travel advisories for Borneo. Particularly seriously, the area around Lahad Datu and Semporna was marked as “avoid except for the essential travel” by the British Foreign Office.
The problem is that the media and Western governments have made this storm in a teacup sound like a major international incident. Governments tend to err on the side of caution to reduce their potential liabilities but have blown the affair out of all proportion.
If you visited eastern Sabah today, the only difference you would notice is the increased presence of police and military checkpoints, surely a reassuring sign. The security forces make a point of extending all courtesy to foreign tourists.

Is Sabah Safe For Your Vacation?

The answer is a resounding ‘yes’. The whole incident now known as the ‘2013 Lahad Datu Standoff’ was confined to a small area on the east coast of Sabah.
All other parts of the province include the capital Kota Kinabalu, nearby Mount Kinabalu, and the interior realms including the Maliau Basin, Danum Valley, Klias Wetlands, and Pulau Sebatik along with other famous dive sites remain totally untouched by the incident. And even those regions in the eye of the storm such as the renowned diving islands of Sipadan and Mabul are now safe to visit.
The facts are as follows: the Malaysian authorities have the situation completely under control, the insurgents have fled or been dealt with, and schools around Lahad Datu and Semporna have re-opened. In short, the situation has returned to normal.

Borneo remains a safe and welcoming tourist destination. You just need to take the simple precautions you would traveling anywhere in the world. You also need to keep your eyes on the news for any other happenings in the region. The world is a volatile place.
To read the official statement from our MD, Albert Teo and get further facts about this incident, click here.