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SEMPORNA: Participants of the Sail Malaysia Passage to the East Rally, representing 21 countries, have given thumbs up to the security on Sabah’s east coast after completing their two-month voyage through the state waters.

Despite travel advisory issued by some countries, the sailors reported feeling secure throughout their journey, largely due to the efforts of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).

Manuel

“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 from Portugal.

Ribeiro, who was among those sailing in Sabah for the first time, also praised Esscom for their 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,” he said.

Ribeiro noted that while Portuguese tourists typically visit Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or Malacca due to historical ties, Sabah offered a fresh and eye-opening experience.

“I have never been to Sabah before, but most of us have heard of it as a remote and exotic part of the world.

“After being here, I see there is so much more Sabah can offer, especially through the lens of the sailing community,” he added.

Nikki

Nikki Anderson, 34, from Australia, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the safety she and her family felt during their voyage. 

“We feel safe and have never once felt unsafe. We want to thank Esscom for doing such a good job.

“We feel secure, especially since we are travelling with a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old,” Anderson shared.

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 a part of our day-to-day life here.

“We have also explored the land, visiting Kinabalu National Park and the tip of Borneo in Kudat. It’s just amazing,” she added.

Thanking the Sail Malaysia participants, Joniston 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.

“With that in mind, we are committed to improving the facilities and infrastructure related to boat berthing, among others, in the future.

“We value participants’ feedback, and we will strive to enhance our visitor’s experience in every possible way,” said Joniston, who is also patron for Sail Malaysia Borneo.

Joniston with Nikki of Australia.

Sail Malaysia Passage to the East rally is supported by Sabah Tourism Board and the farewell dinner was organised by the Semporna District office in collaboration with Sail Malaysia.

The participants are from Australia, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Canada, Portugal, and South Africa among others.