The city mosque of Kota Kinabalu in Borneo’s Sabah which is a popular tourist attraction where visitors are expected to observe local customs and etiquette codes has implemented a ban on all the tourists after coming across a viral video showing two women dancing outside in skimpy outfits. This thing has literally shaken the locals based out of Sabah and the country as a whole. The video shows the girls to be dancing barefoot on a wall, just in front of the holy site in crop tops and shorts which is considered to be very disrespectful behaviour in this conservative region. The state tourism, culture and environment ministry are reportedly taking measures to identify the tourists who are proven guilty.

According to some Malaysian news site, Datuk Jamal Sakaran, the mosque’s chairman, described the women’s behaviour as “regrettable”, as the tourists visiting the Mosque are always briefed on the way they should conduct at the mosque. Jamal said, “We opened our doors to visitors because we want to introduce and let the people know the beauty of Islam, but such action has tarnished the image of our religion, there were still some who do not show respect.

 “Our immediate action is to close the mosque to visitors. All express buses, Grab cars and taxis are not allowed to bring tourists into the compound or park their vehicles in the area.”

A second minister called the actions of the women “outrageous and disrespectful”, especially in front of a place of worship.

This isn’t the first-time tourists have clashed with authorities in the small Malaysian state. In 2015, a British backpacker, two Canadians and a Dutchman pleaded guilty to committing obscene acts in a public place after stripping on Mount Kinabalu.

The local people consider the site to be very sacred and deeply believe that the mountains have the spirits of their ancestors. An earthquake which took place, killing 18 people were considered to have taken place due to the disrespectful act that has prompted this to happen.