Kota Kinabalu: The security level along Sabah’s east coast remains at the highest level, with no untoward incidents reported over the past few years, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He gave this assurance to Malaysian Ambassador to France, Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim, who paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Menara Kinabalu, Tuesday.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed his delight at hearing that Sabah continues to be a key destination for French visitors, ranking third in terms of European arrivals to the State, after the United Kingdom and Germany.
The number of French visitors in the first quarter this year recorded an increase of 26.8 per cent, reaching 2,116 compared to 1,669 during the same period last year – and the number continues to grow.
Hajiji is confident that continuous, more proactive and aggressive promotional efforts will help boost the number of French arrivals to Sabah.
Eldeen, who hails from Kuala Lumpur, was appointed as Malaysia Ambassador to France in April 2024.
He has held various important positions, including serving as Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia.
Hajiji and Eldeen discussed a range of strategic cooperation opportunities between Sabah and France, including in the tourism sector, which would bring mutual benefits to the people of the State.
Also present were State Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board (STB); STB Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit; Tourism Malaysia Director of International Promotion (Americas, Europe and Oceania), Akbal Setia; and Tourism Malaysia Paris Director Zalina Ahmad.
