KOTA KINABALU: International participants of the Sail Malaysia Passage to the East rally, hailing from 21 countries, have given the thumbs up to the security on Sabah’s east coast after completing their two-month voyage through the state waters.
Despite travel advisory against going to the east coast of the state issued by some countries, the sailors reported feeling safe throughout their journey, largely due to the efforts of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).
“I had a very safe journey through Sabah waters. With Esscom’s security in place, I had no concerns about safety,” said 63-year-old Manuel Ribeiro (pic) from Portugal.
Ribeiro, who was among those sailing in Sabah for the first time, also praised Esscom for its proactive approach in getting participants’ details and tracking their movements.
Ribeiro shared his observation with Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai at a farewell dinner for the Sail Malaysia participants here on Sunday.
“There is also a dedicated group chat where we can report any emergencies when sailing alone within Sabah waters. This gave us a strong sense of security,” Ribeiro said.
Ribeiro noted that while Portuguese tourists typically visit Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Melaka due to historical ties, Sabah offered a fresh and eye-opening experience.
“I have never been to Sabah before but most of us have only heard of it as a remote and exotic part of the world.
“After coming here, I see there is so much more that Sabah can offer, especially through the lens of the sailing community,” he added.
Nikki Anderson, 34, from Australia, echoed the same sentiments, highlighting the safety she and her family felt during their voyage.
“We have never once felt any threat. We want to thank Esscom for doing such a good job.
“We feel secure, especially since we are travelling with a six-year-old and a three-year-old,” Anderson added.
She also spoke fondly of the warm hospitality they received during their two-month journey.
“We get to mingle and party with the locals and that has become part of our day-to-day life here.
“We have also explored the land, visited Kinabalu National Park and the tip of Borneo in Kudat. It’s just amazing.”
Thanking the Sail Malaysia participants, Bangkuai encouraged them to share their experiences to friends and families, noting that events like Sail Malaysia have raised Sabah’s profile among global sailors.
“The continued organisation of Sail Malaysia is a clear indicator of how important Sabah is as a destination for sailors from around the world.
“We are committed to improving the facilities and infrastructure related to boat berthing, among others, in the future.
“We value participants’ feedback and will strive to enhance our visitor’s experience in every possible way,” said Bangkuai, who is also a patron of Sail Malaysia Borneo.
The participants include those from Australia, United Kingdom, France, United States, Canada, Portugal and South Africa.
Sail Malaysia Passage To The East is supported by the Sabah Tourism Board and the farewell dinner was organised by the Semporna District Office in collaboration with Sail Malaysia.
