Sabah is reviewing visitor management at Masjid Bandaraya after a viral video showed tourists being roughly stopped from taking photos outside the mosque.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said her ministry, through the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), is working with stakeholders to improve safety, service standards, and visitor experience at the site.
“We take tourism management at Masjid Bandaraya seriously and are actively engaging stakeholders to address recent concerns,” she said.
STB’s Industrial Support Committee met with the mosque’s management on January 28 to discuss safety risks posed by tourists using e-hailing services, unclear visitor guidelines, and the need for stricter regulations.
Liew said an engagement session this month will bring together mosque officials, tour operators, licensed guides, e-hailing providers, and agencies like JKR, DBKK, PDRM, and MOTAC to refine SOPs.
“We will present the revised SOPs and gather feedback to enhance visitor management strategies,” she said.
A widely shared video showed a man, believed to be a mosque staff member, preventing tourists from taking photos outside. Another clip captured an individual making threatening gestures and telling the tourists, believed to be from China, “no money, then go back.”
Masjid Bandaraya is a top tourist attraction in Kota Kinabalu, drawing visitors for its striking architecture and waterfront setting.
Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Sabin Samitah has denied that any DBKK officer was involved in the incident.
Liew said STB will work with e-hailing providers to establish proper pick-up and drop-off points, while JKR will review a proposal for a designated tour bus zone to ease congestion.
She added that enforcement action will be taken against illegal transport operators in the area to ensure compliance with tourism regulations.
“Efforts are also underway to improve service quality and enhance the visitor experience at the mosque,” she said.
Sabah’s religious affairs minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif has also condemned the actions seen in the video, saying Sabahans are known for their hospitality towards visiting tourists. – February 3, 2025.
