SEMPORNA: The Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry (Kepkas) is taking firm action against unlicensed tourism premises and resorts operating in the district.
Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said this after chairing a Task Force meeting at the Semporna District Council on Thursday to review enforcement status, compliance challenges and immediate measures to address the issue.
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He said records show 190 tourism premises are operating in the district, of which 45 hold valid licences, 59 are in the approval process and 86 have taken no initiative or face compliance issues, including failure to obtain the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) or Occupation Certificate (OC) and land status problems.
The Ministry has instructed Local Authorities to stop issuing temporary licences to premises that do not meet regulatory requirements and will enforce strict action, including cessation of operations, against those operating without legal compliance.
Jafry said operators were given an additional three-month period to apply for licences since the Task Force was set up in December last year and urged them to comply before the deadline to safeguard visitor safety, regulatory standards, environmental sustainability and Sabah’s tourism image.
