KUDAT: Local and international tourists can rest assured that Kudat is safe to visit as its waters is secure.
Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang said there had not been any abduction case in Kudat thus far.
The recent abduction of two Germans happened in the southern Philippines, not in Kudat waters, the Tanjung Kapor assemblyman said that when gracing the district-level Harvest Festival celebration here on Saturday.
Dr Stefan Viktor Okonek, 72, and Henrite Dielen, 42, who were island-hopping in the Mindanao area, were found missing from their yacht in the seas near Palawan area that neighbours Sabah’s northern Kudat.
There are suspicions that they were taken by Abu Sayyaf extremists to Jolo.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib had said that the alleged kidnapping occurred in Palawan waters and not Sabah’s northern Kudat as claimed by some reports.
Around 500 participants took part in the district-level Harvest Festival celebration dinner that evening.
Teo said the State Government placed great importance on traditional cultural festivals, particularly the Harvest Festival as it could boost harmony and unity among different races.
“This would enable our State and country to progress and prosper,” he said.
In addition, Teo said the annual Harvest Festival celebration played a role in promoting the traditional culture and attracted tourists to Kudat with the various activities held during the festival, such as the Unduk Ngadau competition, singing contest, tug-of-war, handicraft exhibition and so on.
On another note, Teo urged residents in Kudat to maintain cleanliness in the district and refrain from littering.
He added that sea turtles should be protected as tourists were drawn to Kudat to witness the animals that come ashore to lay their eggs.