Saifuddin orders crackdown on social visit pass abuse in Semporna

 The home minister says action must be taken against tourists who enter the country on social visit passes but engage in business activities.

Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail inspecting the weapons used by security personnel on Pulau Bakkungaan Kesil, near Sandakan, today. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The government is stepping up enforcement against foreign tourists found abusing social visit passes to engage in illegal economic activities in Sabah, particularly in Semporna.

Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the authorities had detected cases of foreign visitors entering the country as tourists but subsequently venturing into business activities, including owning or operating resort services in partnership with local residents, Bernama reported.

He said he had instructed agencies under the ministry, including the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), to conduct joint enforcement operations with local authorities.

“We want to send a clear message that while our country welcomes visitors, they must abide by our laws. If they enter as tourists but engage in business activities and we detect the offence, we will take action,” he said in Sandakan today.

Earlier, Saifuddin visited several islands within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone to inspect security arrangements together with a delegation of foreign representatives. Also present were Esscom commander Victor Sanjos and its CEO, Jamaluddin Ali.

An earlier news report had highlighted how foreign investors had allegedly gained illegal control over parts of Semporna’s tourism economic chain, posing security and economic threats to local communities.

Saifuddin said international confidence in the security situation and tourism potential of the ESS Zone remains high.

He said the ESS Zone recorded 129,492 tourist arrivals as of June.

“I believe the international community has confidence in the security there and the tourism potential.” - FMT