Safety in Malaysia: what overland travellers should know
Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 15 January 2026.
Safety
- Eastern Sabah security zone — Since 2013 the authorities have run an Eastern Sabah Security Zone covering the provinces of Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau, with a curfew that limits navigation up to three nautical miles off the east coast and takes in the islands there, mainly Kapalai, Lankayan, Ligan, Mabul, Mataking, Pom Pom and Sipadan. The measures are meant to prevent incursions and kidnappings by terrorist and criminal groups, Abu Sayyaf among them, operating in the Sulu Sea between eastern Sabah and the nearby Philippine islands. The risk is judged persistent and unpredictable, so the ministry advises against trips in those areas.
- Piracy at sea — Piracy remains a risk in the South China Sea, in the Strait of Malacca and in the Sulu and Celebes seas, especially between Sabah and the south-eastern Philippines, where people on merchant ships and fishing boats in transit may be kidnapped. The ministry says to avoid sailing in those waters.
- Thai land border — Crossing the land border towards Thailand can carry risks that come from the security situation in the neighbouring country. Read the advice for Thailand before planning that leg.
- Monsoon and earthquakes — During the monsoon, continuous torrential rain can cut transport links and communications and bring floods and landslides that often kill people. Sabah has had earthquakes in recent years.
- Terrorism and crowds — The risk of terrorist acts persists and could be aimed at foreigners: a grenade thrown at a bar in Kuala Lumpur in June 2016 wounded eight people, in what the authorities later called the first ISIS attack in Malaysia. Security has been stepped up at busy places, and travellers are told to raise their guard around crowded spots, government sites, big shopping centres, transport hubs and entertainment venues, particularly on Fridays and during religious holidays.
- Petty crime — Pickpocketing and theft happen mainly in the busiest tourist areas, sometimes carried out by people on scooters. Keep valuables at your accommodation and your phone, documents and money in inner pockets or dedicated holders, separate from bags and backpacks. Do not publish your passport or identity card details online, since stolen identities and forged documents are increasingly used to extort money.
Before you rely on this
This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 15 January 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Malaysia before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.
Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 15 January 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.