SEMPORNA: Seven resorts in the waters off Semporna have been compounded and temporarily shut down for various offences, including operating without a valid licence.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said several resort workers were also detained for lacking valid documentation during a joint operation involving the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), the Royal Malaysia Police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
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He said to address issues involving undocumented workers, the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) had established a Special Task Force to tackle critical issues affecting the tourism industry in Semporna.
“Semporna is a beautiful place, so let us offer legal tourism because there are concerns over tourist safety. If an accident occurs, tourists may face difficulties in making insurance claims, and this is one of the risks they face,” he added.
He told this to reporters after a security review programme with the Sabah Chief Minister at the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
Jafry said the State Government takes tourism-related issues in Semporna seriously, particularly licensing matters, and is prepared to assist operators in obtaining the necessary approvals.
However, he stressed that operators must come forward and apply for the required licences.
He said more than 60 tourism operators had already submitted applications and were awaiting approval, while about 80 others had yet to apply for valid licences.
“Motac will continue taking enforcement action, and the district office may demolish buildings if necessary because the operations are illegal, which also makes the structures illegal. The Government has jurisdiction over the matter under the law,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jafry said KePKAS would ensure that all tourism operators in Sabah operate legally with licences issued in accordance with the law, including efforts to detect unlicensed tour operators in Kundasang.
“Kundasang is one of Sabah’s main tourist destinations. We have detected unlicensed operations there, and if any incident occurs, it could tarnish Sabah’s image. The area is also considered risky because of the hillsides and earthquake concerns,” he said.
