{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/malaysia/kota-kinabalu","updatedAt":"2026-07-29T01:21:28.322Z","place":{"city":"Kota Kinabalu","country":"Malaysia","countryCode":"MY","lat":5.9749,"lon":116.0724},"safety":{"score":80,"level":"SAFE","answer":"Yes — generally safe","saferThanPctOfCountries":86,"confidence":0.88,"caps":[],"databaseScore":82,"travellerSentiment":{"score":71,"label":"Mostly positive","summary":"Recent traveler reports describe feeling safe during daylight and in well‑patrolled areas, with concerns mainly about petty theft and occasional political gatherings","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":78,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":62,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":71,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":71,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":97,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":74,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":85,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"U.S. Department of State","level":1,"label":"Exercise Normal Precautions","updated":"Sun, 22 Feb 2026","url":"https://travel.state.gov/content/tsg_aem/us/en/home/international-travel/travel-advisories/destination.mys.html"},{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":3,"label":"Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts","updated":"2026-06-26T15:35:06Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malaysia"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":1,"label":"Exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories)","updated":"2026-07-07T09:39:27.390000-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/malaysia"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":0.734492430713877,"display":"0.7 / 100k","year":"2023","score":96,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"crime_major_constraint","label":"Crime seen as a major business constraint","value":0.3,"display":"0.3%","year":"2015","score":100,"source":"World Bank Enterprise Surveys"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":0,"display":"0 recorded","year":"2021","score":100,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":72.4670498,"display":"72/100","year":"2024","score":72,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":62.9047385,"display":"63/100","year":"2024","score":63,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":57.9431536,"display":"58/100","year":"2024","score":58,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":69.1273333,"display":"69/100","year":"2024","score":69,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":65.5948635,"display":"66/100","year":"2024","score":66,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":54.6313327,"display":"55/100","year":"2024","score":55,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"numbeo_crime_index","label":"Crime index (crowdsourced)","value":44.04,"display":"44.0 / 100 · city-level","year":null,"score":61,"source":"Numbeo Crime Index"},{"key":"numbeo_safety_night","label":"Feeling safe walking alone at night","value":46.15,"display":"46 / 100","year":null,"score":59,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_safety_day","label":"Feeling safe walking alone in daylight","value":72.73,"display":"73 / 100","year":null,"score":80,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_worry_mugged","label":"Worry about being mugged or robbed","value":44.16,"display":"44 / 100","year":null,"score":60,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_violent_crime","label":"Violent crime as a local problem","value":36.81,"display":"37 / 100","year":null,"score":68,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_property_crime","label":"Property crime as a local problem","value":54.08,"display":"54 / 100","year":null,"score":49,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_drugs","label":"Drug dealing or use as a local problem","value":47.92,"display":"48 / 100","year":null,"score":56,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"safe_walking_dark","label":"Feel safe walking alone after dark","value":90.5,"display":"90.5%","year":"2021","score":96,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"human_trafficking_victims","label":"Detected human-trafficking victims","value":0.41,"display":"0.41 / 100k","year":"2024","score":86,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"bribery_contact_rate","label":"Bribery during public-official contact","value":13,"display":"13.0%","year":"2020","score":71,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":54,"display":"US AQI 54 · Moderate","year":null,"score":88,"source":"Open-Meteo Air Quality"},{"key":"health","label":"Travel health notices","value":null,"display":"3 global notices","year":null,"score":92,"source":"CDC Travelers' Health"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":32,"display":"July: highs ~32°C · no weather extremes","year":null,"score":100,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":1,"display":"1 active alert · Flood (green)","year":null,"score":71,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":1,"display":"Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions · 2 govts","year":null,"score":97,"source":"US State Dept · Canada"}],"healthNotices":[{"level":"Alert","title":"Global Polio","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/global-polio"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Dengue","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Measles","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe"}],"hazardAlerts":[{"kind":"Flood","severity":"green","title":"flood alert in Malaysia","distanceKm":278}],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"Yes — Kota Kinabalu is generally safe for visitors, though petty crime and occasional local unrest require normal precautions.","summary":"Kota Kinabalu scores very high on safety metrics: a composite index of 85/100, homicide rate of 0.7 per 100k, and 90% of residents feeling safe walking alone after dark. Violent crime against tourists is rare, but moderate petty theft and occasional political rallies can affect neighborhoods.","robberyRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon in central tourist zones but can occur in isolated waterfront or market areas after dark"},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Pickpocketing and bag‑snatching are most frequent in crowded spots such as the Filipino Market, Gaya Street Sunday Market and busy ferry terminals"},"safeAreas":["Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens","Kota Kinabalu City Centre","Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal","Tanjung Aru Beach","Kota Kinabalu City Mosque"],"avoidAreas":["Gaya Street (after dark)","Kota Kinabalu Wet Market (crowded hours)"],"scams":["Overcharging for boat tours to the islands","Fake wildlife‑part souvenirs sold near the Filipino Market","Unlicensed taxi drivers demanding inflated fares"],"zones":[{"name":"Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens","level":"safe","note":"Commercial hub with heavy police presence, well-lit streets, and frequent foot traffic; low petty crime risk"},{"name":"Gaya Street","level":"caution","note":"Busy market and shopping zone; pickpocketing and scams reported, especially at night"},{"name":"Kota Kinabalu City Centre","level":"safe","note":"Tourist core with hotels, restaurants, and visible security; generally safe day and night"},{"name":"Kota Kinabalu International Airport","level":"safe","note":"Airport area is secure; no recent incidents, but standard travel precautions apply"},{"name":"Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal","level":"caution","note":"Ferry embarkation point; occasional scams targeting tourists booking island trips"},{"name":"Kota Kinabalu Wet Market","level":"caution","note":"Crowded market with higher risk of bag snatching and overcharging; stay alert"},{"name":"Tanjung Aru Beach","level":"safe","note":"Popular beach area with regular patrols; safe for evening visits but watch personal belongings"},{"name":"Kota Kinabalu City Mosque","level":"safe","note":"Well-maintained public space; low crime incidence, but modest dress recommended"}]}}