WWII Bomb Safely Cleared, Pulau Sibuan To Reopen Jan 15

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Pulau Sibuan, temporarily closed since Jan 7 due to the discovery of a World War II-era unexploded ordnance (UXO), will reopen this Wednesday (Jan 15) following the completion of safety measures.

Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, Datuk Seri Christina Liew, said that the UXO was successfully neutralised by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) bomb disposal divers on Saturday (Jan 11).

"Pulau Sibuan will reopen to tourists on Jan 15 (Wednesday) once the police, security forces, and Sabah Parks (TTS) complete cleaning and debris collection," she said in a statement today.

Liew explained that the temporary closure began after two TTS Coast Guards stationed at Pulau Sibuan discovered an object resembling an old bomb during their routine patrolling and cleaning of the snorkeling area on Jan 7.

"The Tun Sakaran Marine Park was immediately informed of the discovery, and a police report was filed the same day. The officer in charge of Pulau Sibuan’s 10 RAMD post from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) was also notified.

"The immediate closure of Pulau Sibuan to tourism activities was implemented by TTS to ensure the safety of visitors and staff on the island," she said.

-- BERNAMA