KOTA KINABALU: Authorities are gearing up for action against illegal tourism premises and resorts in Semporna after giving them enough time to apply for licences.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said this includes instructing local authorities to stop issuing temporary licences to any premises that do not meet regulatory requirements.
Strict action, including shutting down such operations will be carried out against premises that continue operating without legal compliance after the grace period, he added.
"The ministry granted an additional three months for operators to apply for licences since the Task Force was established in December.
"With less than two months remaining before this deadline, I urge all tourism operators to (immediately) comply with the regulations and laws to ensure the safety of visitors and the integrity of the tourism industry," he said here on Friday (Feb 13).
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He added that this is crucial to uphold safety standards, regulatory compliance, environmental sustainability, and Sabah’s tourism image, as the state government will not compromise with any party that jeopardises tourist safety or the tourism industry's reputation.
Earlier, Jafry chaired a task force meeting at the Semporna District Council to review the latest enforcement status, compliance challenges, and actions needed to address unlicensed tourism operations in the district.
This issue has been highlighted multiple times over the past few months.
Jafry said that based on current records, 190 tourism premises have been found operating: 45 have valid licences and 59 are awaiting approval.
A total of 86 premises have taken no initiative or are experiencing compliance issues, he said.
These include failure to obtain the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) or Occupation Certificate (OC), as well as problems related to land status.
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Jafry said his ministry, together with other agencies, will continue to strengthen enforcement coordination while helping committed operators comply with regulations, ensuring that Semporna’s tourism industry grows in an orderly, responsible and sustainable manner.
In another engagement with tourism players, he said Sabah continues to focus on strengthening its tourism and hospitality standards to position itself as a preferred destination for domestic and international visitors.
He stressed that the visitor experience depends not only on Sabah’s natural attractions but also on professional management and strong industry support systems.
"Our visitors come for our beauty and culture, but how they experience our service matters just as much," he said while encouraging operators to elevate service standards, maintain transparent practices, and ensure that experiences deliver real value to travellers.
He also highlighted that Semporna, along with other major destinations in Sabah, remains a key driver of the state’s tourism growth.
The ministry is working closely with stakeholders to strengthen training programmes, encourage best practices, and promote responsible, sustainable tourism management as visitor numbers steadily increase, he said.
"As part of Visit Malaysia 2026, these initiatives focus on measurable improvements from service quality to responsible destination management," he added.
