Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar's proposal to close down resorts on remote islands instead of guaranteeing their security is hurting tourism, says the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta) Sabah.
"It would be good for all stakeholders that the deputy home minister retract and withdraw his statement as such negative statements will have serious repercussions on business confidence, investment and development in Semporna," Matta Sabah chairperson Robert Chong said in a statement today.
He urged the tourism industry to stay united and be resilient to face the challenges.
Meanwhile, Matta vice president (Inbound) KL Tan said Wan Juanidi's refusal to guarantee the safety of remote resorts off the Sabah coast was disappointing.
"The suggestion by the deputy home minister to close these resorts is an insult to the people of Malaysia," said Tan.
He pointed out the government had spent RM286 million to set up Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and an additional RM75 million was pumped into the command in the last national budget.
On Friday, Wan Junaidi said the Esscom cannot guarantee the safety of remote resorts and asked them to beef up their own security.
"If it were up to me, I would say these resorts on small, isolated islands should be closed. No one can guarantee the safety of these places when they are situated far off the coast," he reportedly said.
Kidnapped by gunmen
The remarks came after a Chinese tourist and a Filipino hotel worker was on Wednesday kidnapped by gunmen at Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort and taken to southern Philippines.
Tan said security at islands off Semporna is weak due to the presence of water villages inhabited by illegal immigrants which makes it difficult for security forces to track down and identify criminals.
He added Wan Junaidi should personally visit Semporna instead of attempting to wash his hands over te issue.
"For the information of the deputy home minister, the abduction took place in a resort, located about five minutes from Semporna town and not in a remote island.
"He is duty bound to protect every Malaysians including tourists rather 'passing the buck' and shirking from responsibility," said Tan
"It would be good for all stakeholders that the deputy home minister retract and withdraw his statement as such negative statements will have serious repercussions on business confidence, investment and development in Semporna," Matta Sabah chairperson Robert Chong said in a statement today.
He urged the tourism industry to stay united and be resilient to face the challenges.
Meanwhile, Matta vice president (Inbound) KL Tan said Wan Juanidi's refusal to guarantee the safety of remote resorts off the Sabah coast was disappointing.
"The suggestion by the deputy home minister to close these resorts is an insult to the people of Malaysia," said Tan.
He pointed out the government had spent RM286 million to set up Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and an additional RM75 million was pumped into the command in the last national budget.
On Friday, Wan Junaidi said the Esscom cannot guarantee the safety of remote resorts and asked them to beef up their own security.
"If it were up to me, I would say these resorts on small, isolated islands should be closed. No one can guarantee the safety of these places when they are situated far off the coast," he reportedly said.
Kidnapped by gunmen
The remarks came after a Chinese tourist and a Filipino hotel worker was on Wednesday kidnapped by gunmen at Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort and taken to southern Philippines.
Tan said security at islands off Semporna is weak due to the presence of water villages inhabited by illegal immigrants which makes it difficult for security forces to track down and identify criminals.He added Wan Junaidi should personally visit Semporna instead of attempting to wash his hands over te issue.
"For the information of the deputy home minister, the abduction took place in a resort, located about five minutes from Semporna town and not in a remote island.
"He is duty bound to protect every Malaysians including tourists rather 'passing the buck' and shirking from responsibility," said Tan
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