US embassy shifts Sabah travel status to ‘relaxed’ after security improvements

Tourists take selfies at the Kota Kinabalu beach in the evening as the sun is about to set. — Picture by Julia Chan

By Julia Chan

First Published: Wednesday, 02 Sep 2026 3:48 PM MYT

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 2 — The United States is encouraging its citizens and international travellers to visit Sabah, citing significant improvements in security and a corresponding relaxation of travel advisories, said US Embassy Kuala Lumpur Chargé d'Affaires David Gamble.

He noted that the US lowered its travel advisory for Sabah and Borneo earlier this year, a move that has prompted several other nations to review their own warnings.

“Now it is at a very relaxed travel status. Many countries are following America’s lead and reviewing their travel advisories as well,” Gamble said during the launch of the Freedom 250 Sabah programme at the Tanjung Aru State Library today.

“This reflects the improved security and how safe it is to visit Sabah. We want to encourage more tourists to visit Sabah because Sabah is a wonderful place to visit.”

The shift follows a period of heightened caution that began in July 2014 after a series of kidnapping-for-ransom incidents along the east coast.

In February, the US Embassy downgraded its advisory for Eastern Sabah to Level 1, advising citizens to exercise only normal precautions, though maritime areas and offshore islands remain at Level 2. Japan has similarly lowered its advisory for coastal areas from Kudat to Tawau to Level 1.

When asked about the possibility of establishing a US consulate in Kota Kinabalu, Gamble clarified that there are no plans to do so in the coming years.

The diplomatic push coincides with "Freedom 250," a three-day series of events in Kota Kinabalu commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence. The programme celebrates the longstanding ties between the US and Sabah through education, culture, sports, and people-to-people exchanges.

Highlights of the celebration include the travelling Freedom 250 Exhibition at the Tanjung Aru State Library, STEM workshops supported by McDermott and ConocoPhillips, and the English Access Scholarship Programme. In the sporting arena, three-time Olympic gold medallist Shannon Boxx is leading a football clinic for up to 500 young Sabahan athletes.

The festivities will culminate tomorrow with the Great American Sabah State Fair and Freedom 250 Fun Run at Padang Merdeka from 3pm to 10pm. The fair will feature American-inspired cuisine, local vendors, and a live performance by the US Pacific Band. Additionally, American cinematic classics such as “Back to the Future” and “The Incredibles” will be screened at City Cineplex, City Mall.

These celebrations run parallel to the 22nd Pacific Partnership mission in Sabah, where approximately 400 US service members and personnel from eight partner nations, including the UK, Japan, and Australia, are collaborating with local communities on engineering projects, medical outreach, and disaster preparedness.

Gamble noted that these diverse programmes reflect the breadth of the US-Sabah relationship, providing young Sabahans with direct access to American innovation, education, and culture.