KOTA KINABALU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) has conducted a large two-day operation cracking down on illegal resorts and businesses undermining the tourism sector in Semporna.
The operation from March 10–11 involving multiple federal and state enforcement agencies targeted resorts and tourism operators suspected of running businesses without valid licences.
Esscom commander Deputy Comm Datuk Victor B Sanjos said 20 Philippines and China nationals were detained for various immigration offences, including overstaying and failing to produce valid travel documents.
He said dozens of compound notices were issued under various laws, ranging from labour violations, unlicensed business operations to fire safety breaches and illegal wildlife possession.
"Customs officers also seized contraband liquor worth RM20,153.76, while the Sabah Wildlife Department confiscated three bags of turtle meat and 111 bags of wild boar meat, he said in a statement Thursday (March 12).
The total value of seizures was RM491,413.76, he said, adding that the operation involved 231 personnel and inspections of 41 resorts and business premises across Semporna town, coastal waters and squatter settlements.
The Labour Department also issued 41 compound notices under the Employment Act 1955 to employers for failing to comply with employment and worker welfare provisions while Companies Commission of Malaysia issued eight compound notices under the Companies Act 2016 and one compliance notice.
The Personal Data Protection Department issued two compound notices under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 for failure to comply with data handling provisions while Semporna District Council issued 19 compound notices under local by-laws under the Local Government Ordinance 1961 (Sabah), involving offences such as operating businesses without licences, failing to comply with licensing conditions and hygiene violations.
The Fire and Rescue Department issued 30 notices under the Fire Services Act 1988 for failing to provide fire safety facilities such as smoke detectors, manual alarms, emergency lights, and fire extinguishers.
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry issued seven compound notices under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and the Consumer Protection Act 1999, while the Health Department issued notices under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 and the Food Act 1983 for storing and displaying ready-to-eat food without adequate protection from contamination.
Victor said the crackdown forms part of Operasi Sanggah Esscom, a continuous initiative under the Madani government to strengthen security enforcement in collaboration with the police, Armed Forces and the maritime agency while supporting federal and state agencies in law enforcement.
"This firm action also follows the statement by the Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on the misuse of social visit passes by foreigners to conduct business activities, particularly in the tourism sector within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone," he said.
Public have been urged to report suspicious activities or security incidents in the ESS Zone to the Esscom operations centre at 089-863 181 or via WhatsApp at 011-6331 1072.
