Illegals blamed for thefts from tourists at Sabah marine park

KOTA KINABALU: Illegal immigrants posing as workers or tourists have been blamed for thefts of tourists’ belongings at the Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park.

Sabah Parks senior manager Maipol Spait said there had been many complaints from various quarters about the presence of undocumented individuals on the islands.

“They have broken immigration laws, that’s one.

“Secondly, they are pretending to be working for tour operators and causing other problems such as stealing stuff from tourists visiting the islands here.”

Maipol spoke to reporters after the conclusion of an integrated operation in Manukan Island today.

He said this was the reason Sabah Parks decided to conduct the special integrated operation together with the Immigration Department and marine police to nab offenders.

It was also to ensure boat and tour operators comply with the rules and regulations under the Parks Enactment 1984.

The three-hour operation, involving 20 personnel, saw checks carried out on tour operators, tourists coming into the islands and tourism workers on Manukan Island, Sulug Island and Sapi Island.

The operation also aimed to ensure the safety of tourists by making sure boats carrying tourists comply with the rules and regulations.

A total of 165 people were screened and 48 boats checked.

Only one boat was found to be operating without a valid landing permit but the situation was quickly rectified after the operator paid for the permit.

Maipol said today’s operation was a vast improvement from the previous checks in May when quite a number of boats were found to be operating without valid permits and some did not even have valid boat licences.

He noted that boat operators had been more careful ever since the tragedy early this year in which seven people, including five Chinese nationals, were killed when their boat capsized.

“I think the awareness level has increased and boat operators now know the importance of safety for their passengers,” he said.

On the 165 individuals screened today, Maipol said all the tourism workers on the three islands were found to be working legally.

However, the Immigration Department found that most of the tourists were travelling without their passports.

Many of them, Maipol said, claimed that their passports were left in their hotels for safekeeping.

“It is an offence under immigration laws if a foreign individual fails to produce any form of identification when asked for it.

“Therefore, tour operators must always advise their clients to have their passports in hand at all times,” he said. -FMT