KOTA KINABALU: Operating licenses of tour operators who violate laws will be revoked, says Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew (pic).
She said this following the arrest of 11 people, including eight Chinese nationals, who allegedly encroached into Philippines waters during a fishing trip from Semporna on Sept 1.
“The state government will not hesitate to take stern action against perpetrators of unauthorised cross-border activity,” said Liew when contacted on Tuesday (Sept 3).
She said tour operators should be aware that encroaching into another country’s territory is illegal and unlawful.
“We (Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry) will request the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) to revoke the license of tour operators who are found to have violated laws,” she warned.
Liew denounced the actions of tour operators who unnecessarily exposed tourists to danger.
She said KePKAS will fully cooperate with enforcement agencies such as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and marine police in taking the necessary action against errant tourism players.
