KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is considering whether or not to reopen the city mosque here to tourists, following an incident in which two Chinese women danced provocatively on its gate.
The tourists – Wan Han, 37 and Zhang Na, 25 – were each sentenced to a RM25 fine by the magistrate’s court here yesterday, and flew back to China last night.
Following the June 23 incident, the mosque’s management closed the area to all foreign tourists.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Christina Liew said she believes that the mosque’s closure is temporary.
“I hope this is an eye-opener for tourists to observe proper conduct in Sabah.
“I will speak to my permanent secretary and staff to follow up on the next course of action; besides talking with relevant authorities and the mosque’s management,” she said.
She added that it is also the duty of tour operators and guides to remind their guests on the dos and don’ts while visiting tourist sites in the state.
Liew, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, was speaking after flagging-off cyclists in the US Independence Day ceremony at the City Hall building here.
Present were United States Ambassador to Malaysia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Chan Foong Hin, and mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai.
The programme – which includes a bike race, a tree-planting exercise and a street clean-up session – attracted 130 participants.
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