Five eateries in Semporna ordered shut over hygiene issues

Semporna health officer Dr Sahrol Nizam Abu Bakar

KOTA KINABALU: Five eateries at Semporna's resorts and islands were ordered shut temporarily after health officers swung into action following a red notice warning by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing last week.

Semporna health officer Dr Sahrol Nizam Abu Bakar said the special operation that started on Saturday (Aug 19) also saw 18 notices issued for various breaches of the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.

"We plan to carry out this exercise at other tourist destinations and islands to check on their kitchens," he said during an engagement session between local authorities and government agencies with tourism players in Semporna on Monday (Aug 21).

Earlier, Dr Sahrol said the district health office had received only two complaints so far on tourists being afflicted with food poisoning in the district.

He said the complaints were channelled to his office through the Public Complaints Management System (Sispaa) and involved two domestic tourists who suffered diarrhea after leaving Semporna in May.

"We learned of the complaints from Sispaa and following our investigations, they were found to be isolated cases.

"There have been no complaints about foreign tourists being affected by food poisoning," he said.

Last week, Tiong warned that he might be forced to issue a red notice against travel to Semporna following a food poisoning complaint by a tourist at a resort.

According to him, in addition to cases of food poisoning, tourist complaints revolved around poor hygiene, unsatisfactory cleanliness, rubbish strewn in various places, pest infestation and poor hospitality services.

Subsequently, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the state had taken the appropriate measures, noting that it took a serious view of Tiong’s warning.

Meanwhile, Dr Sahrol said 66 notices have been issued for various offences under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 as of Aug 16 in Semporna.

At the same time, he said, 397 premises have been inspected, with 255 being first-time checks while the remaining 143 involved inspections on outlets for repeated violations.

"We also issued notices to five kitchens at resorts in the district, 135 to stalls or hawkers, 15 school canteens and hostel kitchens and one each to a food processing factory and a bread shop," Dr Sahrol said.

A majority of the violations committed involved food handlers not wearing shoes, aprons or head covers, while some were found wearing accessories like rings and wristwatches.