KOTA KINABALU: A scuffle that involved punching and kicking over what purported to be tourist landing fees in one of Semporna’s famous islands has given the district a black eye as a diving paradise.
The attack, which took place at about 10.30 am on Wednesday, involved a manager of a tour company who was attacked the moment he arrived with his clients at Timba-Timba Island. He claimed that several men waylaid him, insisting on being given more money, even though his company had already paid up with another party.
Semporna acting police chief Deputy Supt Jaafar Hakim said initial investigations showed that the dispute involved more than one group, which had been attempting to impose landing charges on the operators.
“What began as an argument then turned into a physical fight,” he added, and three men aged 25 to 27 were later arrested for rioting under Section 147 of the Penal Code.
A two-minute video clip of the fight, captured in front of flabbergasted tourists, has since gone viral on the internet. Netizens lashed out at the brawl as a black eye for Sabah, especially since Semporna is often marketed as “Malaysia’s Maldives” for having unpolluted waters, white sandy beaches and a rich marine life.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, describing the incident as “most unfortunate,” said authorities were investigating the incident and warned illegal operators would be given stern action.
She said Timba-Timba is outside Sabah Parks’ jurisdiction, but the local district office had issued eviction notices before against illegal residents on the island.
“Unlicensed individuals should not be allowed to run businesses or collect fees,” she stressed.
Liew also stressed that all the stakeholders must make concerted efforts in safeguarding the tourists, stating it was a pity that such incidents are allowed to occur at tourist destinations.
We have been told the police have arrested the perpetrators. There should be no recurrence of such occurrences,” she advised, calling on tour operators to be cautious and not take tourists to risky places.
Semporna’s breakneck development into a tourist spot has been at the expense of something, however, ranging from as far-reaching as waste management and infrastructure shortcomings to illegal operators who seek to profit from the tourist stampede. This latest conflict, stakeholders fear, can mar the district’s reputation as Malaysia’s top tourist destination – Malay Mail
