KOTA KINABALU, SABAH, Malaysia, 15 August 2025 – Following a two-day joint sea and land enforcement operation, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) held a meeting with the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) and relevant enforcement agencies to address critical issues surrounding tourism safety, illegal operations, and enforcement in Sabah. Authorities have been urged to take immediate action to enhance the state’s tourism reputation.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Dato’ Seri Tiong King Sing highlighted serious safety deficiencies in Sabah’s tourism sector, noting that tourist safety is inadequately protected. Statistics from 2023 to July 2025 reveal a troubling trend of tourism-related accidents: 14 incidents in 2023 resulted in 6 deaths and 9 injuries; 11 incidents in 2024 led to 9 deaths and 28 injuries; and 23 incidents in 2025 (up to July) caused 2 deaths and 2 injuries. These frequent accidents underscore weak safety management and regulatory oversight, undermining traveler confidence and Sabah’s international tourism reputation.
During the two-day enforcement operation, Tiong personally led officers from MOTAC’s Tourism Licensing and Enforcement Division (BPPP), alongside Immigration, police, and other agencies, in inspections around Tawau. The operation uncovered widespread illegal practices, including overloaded tourist buses operating without guides, foreign nationals renting local licenses to operate covertly, undocumented foreign divers, non-tourism vehicles carrying passengers, and boats operating without approval. Additional concerns included alleged corruption within the Immigration Department, lax monitoring of uninsured resorts and homestays, and unauthorized fee collections on certain islands. Tiong emphasized that enforcement is severely lacking, necessitating urgent reforms to protect tourist safety.
The meeting also addressed 10 pressing issues in Semporna, including licensed tourism companies leasing permits to foreign investors, collaboration with unlicensed operators, misuse of visas for illegal work, illegal fishing during dives (e.g., using prohibited weapons), unregistered jetties, dilapidated and unsafe jetty facilities, lack of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for tourist boats, non-compliance with local government guidelines by resorts, illegal island entry fees, and unauthorized vehicles transporting tourists without guides.
Tiong directed BPPP to immediately investigate illegal operators and license misuse, crack down on unlicensed guides, and strengthen enforcement. The division was also instructed to increase manpower, tighten license approvals, shut down unlicensed agencies, and send a clear message to the industry that lax practices will no longer be tolerated.
Tiong urged the Immigration Department to address misuse of social visit passes, expressing concern over the high number of “Not To Land” (NTL) notices at Kota Kinabalu International Airport and potential corruption. He proposed installing automated immigration gates in Sabah, Penang, and Johor. At Tawau Airport, Tiong observed individuals openly selling tour packages to arriving visitors, raising risks of fraud. He called on Sabah authorities to establish a dedicated enforcement team, with MOTAC support, and urged Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to install clear signage to protect tourists from scams.
Tiong also questioned why Semporna authorities allow non-compliant resorts and homestays to operate, including those built on agricultural or aquaculture land without meeting standards. He stressed the need for strict enforcement and preventive measures, rather than reactive corrections. According to the Sabah Housing Ministry, 145 resorts or chalets are currently seeking licenses—48 approved, 1 pending, 1 incomplete, and 95 operating illegally. Tiong ordered all operators to comply within three months or face demolition. The state government was also urged to address high accommodation prices despite poor facilities. Unsafe jetties must be closed or upgraded, with reasonable user fees permitted to cover maintenance costs. Unauthorized island entry fees must be reported and addressed immediately.
On tourism safety and insurance, Tiong called for mandatory insurance coverage for all resorts and stricter local government oversight. Marine activities must adhere to safety vest regulations, and SOPs, such as recording all travelers and crew, must be enforced. He also advocated for stronger diving regulations and local government involvement in jetty registration and licensing decisions. All tourist buses must be insured to protect passengers.
In the event of accidents on islands with limited medical facilities, victims are currently rushed to Semporna’s nearest medical center—a journey taking at least an hour. To improve emergency response, Tiong proposed establishing medical aid stations at strategic island locations.
Tiong stressed that agencies must take their duties seriously and act proactively, as plans and meetings alone are insufficient. As a key Malaysian tourism destination, Sabah must strengthen oversight, ensure visitor safety, sustain tourism growth, and maintain international traveler confidence.
With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 approaching, MOTAC will continue enhancing tourism facilities and safety nationwide, including in Sabah and Sarawak, and requires all state governments and agencies to actively develop tourism plans to ensure the industry’s robust and successful growth.