Sabah tourism needs better infrastructure, safety and enforcement, says Luyang rep

KOTA KINABALU (March 5): Luyang assemblyman Samuel Wong has called on authorities to take immediate and decisive measures to strengthen Sabah’s tourism sector, warning that poor management, weak enforcement and safety gaps could undermine one of the state’s most important economic pillars.

Wong said tourism has long been a key driver of Sabah’s economy, generating jobs and income for thousands of local businesses and communities.

However, he cautioned that without proper planning, infrastructure, safety standards and regulation, the industry risks losing its competitiveness.

“With Visit Malaysia 2026 approaching, the basics must be addressed immediately without further delay. Basic infrastructure must be up to standard, tourism sites must be properly maintained and upgraded, and illegal operators must be continuously wiped out,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

Wong pointed out that many tourism areas in Sabah still require improvements, such as better road access to popular attractions, brighter lighting, adequate parking facilities, clean public toilets, clear signage, proper waste management systems and consistent maintenance of public amenities.

He also stressed that tourist safety and security must be treated as a top priority, particularly at remote locations and islands located far from hospitals or major towns.

“Security presence, emergency response readiness and proper safety protocols are extremely important. Hotels, resorts and tourism operators must ensure there are basic emergency facilities such as first aid equipment, trained personnel, emergency communication access and clear evacuation procedures,” he said.

Wong added that authorities should strengthen coordination with emergency services, including ambulances, marine rescue units and nearby medical facilities, to ensure tourists receive timely assistance in case of emergencies.

“For tourism spots located far from hospitals, there must be clear emergency response plans and support systems so that tourists feel safe when visiting Sabah,” he said.

He also called for stronger enforcement against illegal tourism operators to ensure a fair and sustainable tourism environment while protecting legitimate local businesses.

“This includes stricter monitoring of illegal tour guides, unlicensed tour operators, illegal transport services and unauthorised tour packages operating outside the legal framework,” he said.

Wong further suggested that the government work closely with local tourism stakeholders to build a stronger and more coordinated tourism ecosystem.

“For instance, the government can collaborate with local tour operators, hotels, homestay operators, community tourism groups, local talents and cultural performers to create integrated tourism packages that showcase Sabah’s nature, culture and food,” he said.

While acknowledging that tourist arrival numbers are important, Wong emphasised that the focus should not only be on quantity but also on quality and economic impact.

“Numbers are important, but we must ensure that the economic benefits remain within our local economy and are not flowing out to illegal operators. What we want is quality tourism, not just quantity,” he said.

He noted that higher-value tourism could be developed through eco-tourism, cultural tourism, adventure tourism, sports tourism, wedding tourism and community-based tourism, which can generate higher income and encourage longer stays among visitors.

Wong also highlighted that Sabah is blessed with world-class natural attractions, including pristine islands, rich biodiversity, rainforests and unique cultural heritage.

“Sabah has majestic mountains, world-class dive sites, beautiful islands, ancient rainforests and rich indigenous cultures. These are assets many places can only dream of,” he said.

However, he said the state has yet to fully maximise these advantages.

“It is unfortunate that although we hold world-class natural treasures in our hands, our tourism development still lags behind many countries with similar resources,” he added.

Wong urged the government to seize the opportunity presented by Visit Malaysia 2026 to strengthen Sabah’s tourism framework, improve infrastructure, enhance enforcement, strengthen safety systems and raise service standards across the industry.

“Sabah already has the natural beauty. What we must build now is a strong tourism system that allows us to fully unlock that potential,” he said.

“If we get the fundamentals right — infrastructure, safety, enforcement and proper planning — Sabah’s tourism industry can grow into one of the most powerful economic drivers for our region, creating jobs, strengthening local businesses and ensuring that the benefits of tourism remain with the people of Sabah,” he stressed,