SEMPORNA: All parties have been urged to understand the realities faced by local tourism operators before making any statements or taking action on issues involving accommodation in the district.
North Borneo Semporna Tourism Cooperative Berhad chairman Kerino Jalani (
pic) said claims that accommodation premises in Semporna are fully operated by foreign companies are not entirely accurate.
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He said that although some premises were established through joint ventures with foreign investors or agents, daily management and operations are carried out by local companies and workers, while external parties typically provide capital, design expertise and marketing support.
Kerino, a former chairman of the Semporna Local Bumiputera Tourism Companies Association, said such collaborations have strengthened Semporna and Malaysia’s position as international tourism destinations, while small and medium operators continue to face capital constraints and lengthy government financing processes.
He called for a review of the RM250,000 paid-up capital requirement for Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) licences, proposing a lower threshold of RM50,000 to enable more small operators with fewer than five units to operate legally and support the orderly growth of the tourism industry here.
