This Advice was last issued in August 2014.
It contains updated information in the Summary and under Safety and
security: Terrorism (heightened security arrangements and restrictions on
movement on water at night are in place in eastern Sabah following recent
attacks and kidnappings) and Health (increase in cases of dengue fever and
Japanese encephalitis in 2014). We continue to advise Australians to reconsider
their need to travel to the coastal region of eastern Sabah, including islands,
dive sites and associated tourist facilities, due to the high threat of
kidnapping. We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in all other areas
of eastern Sabah covered by the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZone) due to the
heightened security measures in place. We continue to advise Australians to
exercise normal safety precautions in Malaysia overall.
- We advise you
to exercise a high degree of caution in all parts of eastern Sabah covered
by the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZone) due to the heightened security
measures in place. Authorities have imposed a curfew on all travel by
water between 1800 hrs and 0600 hrs. See under Safety and security for
further information.
- Australians
should avoid all travel to the coastal resorts of eastern Sabah, including
the islands, dive sites and associated tourist facilities owing to the
continuing high threat of kidnapping, and as such you should reconsider
your need to travel to the area. The risk of kidnapping increases on the
water and waterfront after nightfall. Information indicates there is a
continuing threat of attacks by armed insurgents in or around eastern
Sabah.
- The kidnapping
threat is highest in the area between the towns of Sandakan and Tawau due
to its proximity to the Sulu archipelago in the southern Philippines.
- There are
recent indications that extremists may be in the advanced stages of
planning to kidnap foreigners from locations in this vicinity.
- Smoke haze
across some parts of Malaysia including Kuala Lumpur is usual from June to
October but can occur at any time of the year. When haze levels are high
the Malaysian authorities recommend limiting outdoor activity. See under Health
for further information.
- There has been
a significant increase in cases of dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis
in 2014. See under Health
for further information.
- If you are
intending to travel overland from Malaysia to Thailand, you should also
read the travel advice for Thailand
which recommends that Australians do not travel to or through the far
southern Thai provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.
- Australians
visiting Malaysia on business should see our Advice to Australian
business travellers.
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