KOTA KINABALU, July 13 — Sabah will improve maritime security along the state’s west coast to complement efforts to build the tourism industry there.

Sabah Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency director of administration and finance Nurlaineh Tamsir said that the presence of Malaysian security forces was pertinent to the development of the tourism sector in the state.

“As Sabah provides alternatives from the tourist islands in the east coast following the kidnapping incidents, we will also be working to monitor and keep tabs on the islands in the west coast like Mantanani as well as Gaya and the Kimanis coastline,” she said.

She was speaking to reporters during a meeting to launch a maritime project involving the local community and other government departments and agencies.

Currently, islands such as Mantanani, off Kota Belud see some 100 tourists a day but are only secured by a team of policemen based there.

Efforts are underway to develop it as a major tourist attraction.

“We have to keep vigilant and ensure that any infiltration of foreigners or strangers into any of the islands are monitored and investigated.

"We will be stepping up on our activities in the area,” she said adding that they will also be looking out for drug activities among the islands.

Security in Sabah’s east coast have been threatened by the abductions of tourists and locals from islands since 2013; the last one being in May 14 this year from a popular seafood restaurant in Sandakan’s coast.