No bikinis in city centre, please!
Published on: Friday, October 20, 2023
By: Sherell Jeffrey
A woman in bikini standing next to her luggage in Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu (left) and a distasteful photo of an individual circulated on social media.
Kota Kinabalu: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew reminded tourists visiting Sabah of the appropriate attire and cultural norms in the State.
“Tourists should understand the local sensitivities (customs and traditions),” she said in a statement, Thursday.
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Her statement came in the wake of recent social media posts showing a traveller in bikini standing next to her luggage in the city.
The photo which was said to have been taken a month ago only started making its rounds on social media recently.
Liew said although Kota Kinabalu City is close to several islands, including the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Sepanggar and Tanjung Aru Beach, people don’t go around the city centre in beachwear.
“You can tell by observation that the city centre has a mix of business community and tourists,” she said while reminding travellers to be mindful of the dress culture in any destination.
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“Be mindful of your surroundings,” she said.
“Through the Sabah Tourism Board, we frequently remind visitors of the appropriate attire and customs in Sabah.
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Tourists should also be aware of the traditions of the destination they are visiting,” she said.
She also noted the circulation of distasteful photos purportedly taken near the Sabah Tourism Board building.
In the photos, an individual could be seen posing close to the building and displaying her breasts and buttocks.
“It is disheartening to know that there is such malicious intention,” said Christina.
“We are investigating the authencity of the account and images.
However, we also need the public’s help in channelling information to stop a repeat of this occurrence,” she said.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun, when contacted, said police would check on the matter.
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