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KOTA KINABALU: An NGO has raised concerns over the presence of undocumented foreign workers in resort operations in Semporna while criticising remarks by Semporna MP Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal on licensing issues.

Persatuan Bumiputera Bajau Semporna (Perbubas) president Mansor Santiri (pic) said many illegal resorts in the district were believed to be employing undocumented foreign workers, raising questions over enforcement and governance.

He described Shafie’s call for the government to ease licensing requirements to avoid the demolition of about 80 resorts as “ironic and difficult to accept”.

Mansor said Bumiputera operators had previously appealed for faster approval of Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL) during Shafie’s tenure as Chief Minister from 2018 to 2020 but were not given due priority.

He claimed many local Bumiputera entrepreneurs only secured approvals in 2024 under the current Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) administration and urged authorities to enforce laws fairly without politicising licensing issues.