KOTA KINABALU: A comprehensive assessment will be carried out over claims that 81 accommodation premises in Sabah’s east coast diving hub of Semporna are under foreign ownership.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin (pic) said this was necessary to ensure a balance between foreign investment and local participation.
“Sabah welcomes foreign investment, as global networks and market access are important drivers of tourism growth.
“However, investment must deliver clear benefits to Sabah by strengthening local participation, creating jobs for Sabahans and ensuring meaningful economic spillover to local communities,” he said.
Jafry was responding to a statement by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who said 81 accommodation premises in Semporna were being operated by foreign companies and individuals.
Armizan had urged the state government and relevant agencies to investigate the matter to ensure local interests, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises, were protected and that local employment opportunities were not sidelined.
Jafry said the state government had created a Special Task Force on Semporna Tourism Industry Monitoring two months ago.
The state government would coordinate closely with the ministry and relevant authorities to ensure proper governance, effective enforcement and orderly tourism development in Semporna.
