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PAPAR: The Sabah government has been called to study the growing number of foreign-managed resorts and chalets in Semporna to ensure local businesses and workers benefit.

Domestic Trade Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said preliminary data shows about 81 properties are either joint ventures or fully foreign-owned, with nearly half entirely foreign-operated. 

He stressed the need to protect local SMEs and employment while leveraging foreign investors’ networks.

Armizan proposed a joint study with the state government, MOTAC, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and the Institute for Development Studies, backed by monitoring and data-driven assessments to ensure sustainable and inclusive tourism growth.