KOTA KINABALU: Japan’s decision to revise a travel advisory for its citizens to avoid the east coast of Sabah is a positive development, says Datuk Seri Christina Liew.
The Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said although it is only a partial lifting of the advisory, the state government welcomed it.
She said the travel advisory allows Japanese nationals to visit mainland Tawau, Sandakan and Lahad Datu, if necessary, but they are still advised against travelling to the islands off Semporna.
“I was made to understand that the revision was made a couple of days ago.
“The Consular Office of Japan in Kota Kinabalu has confirmed that it is not a complete lifting of the travel advisory,” Liew said in a statement yesterday.
The revised advisory was posted on Japan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry’s website.
Liew hopes that the travel advisory can be completely lifted in the near future.
During an official visit to Japan in 2019, Liew had requested the Japanese government consider lifting the advisory, which was issued by its Foreign Affairs Ministry.
