TRAVEL ADVISORY

The text of a letter from Mr Gerry Gannon, Sarawak Tourism Board's Australian Representative, dated 27 February, 2001, regarding safety and security in Malaysian Borneo, and in particular, Sarawak, can be viewed below.

TRAVEL ADVISORY

Ethnic Troubles in Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) The Sarawak Tourism Board wishes to reassure potential visitors to Sarawak, travel operators and friends and relatives of persons currently travelling or residing in Sarawak on the situation in Borneo.

Although located on the island of Borneo, Sarawak is part of the Federation of Malaysia, a country noted for its stability, safety, prosperity and ethnic and religious harmony.

The current unfortunate troubles in Borneo are happening in the region of Central Kalimantan, an Indonesia province hundreds of kilometres south of Sarawak.

The clashes occurring there are between the native Dyak ethnic groups and the non-indigenous Madurese immigrants from the over populated island of Madura in the vicinity of Java. The native Dyaks see these immigrants, who were re-settled in Kalimantan during the "transmigration" policy of previous Indonesian governments, as a threat to their economic well-being.

In Sarawak such a situation is unlikely to occur, as Sarawak retains the constitutional right of controlling immigration to the State, requiring Malaysians from other states to show proof of identity when entering Sarawak and to apply for permits to work or live in Sarawak.

The Sarawak Tourism Board wishes to emphasise that in Sarawak there is absolutely no risk for travellers and residents resulting from the current situation in Indonesian Borneo and that as far as tourism is concerned it is business as usual.

The Sarawak Tourism Board will be monitoring the situation and, if needed, will issue further travel advisories.

Issued February 27, 2001 In Kuching, Sarawak - Malaysia

Contact:

Gerry Gannon

Sarawak Tourism Board's Australian Representative

81 Chancery Crescent

Willeton Western Australia 6155

Phone: +61 8 9310 4865 Fax: +61 8 9332 5861

email: gerry@gannonmedia.com.au