KOTA KINABALU: No foreigners, including tourists from China, have been issued trading licences by district offices in Sabah, says Assistant Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Ruddy Awah.
Trading licences were only issued to locals, he told Jamil Hamzah (Warisan-Bugaya) at the state assembly meeting here on Wednesday (April 16).
Jamil wanted to know what action was being taken against Chinese tourists carrying out tourism-related business in Semporna.
To further questions alleging the use of forged trading licences, Ruddy urged Jamil to submit the relevant information to his ministry for further action.
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Ruddy said action would be taken if tourists or other foreigners were found doing business using licences that were originally issued to Malaysians.
On federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing's concerns about shortcomings in the tourism sector in Semporna, Ruddy said the state has not received any information about it so far.
"If there is information, please send evidence. We will not remain silent – we will ensure that concerns and abuse of power can be addressed together," he said.
Ruddy also told the assembly that the relevant district offices monitor tourism operators to ensure compliance with the terms of doing business and to see that safety precautions for tourists are taken.
