A speedboat with tourists heading to Singamata Reef Resort.
Despite the latest kidnapping, tourists choose to stay and continue their holiday vacation.
Frank Caruana
SEMPORNA: Business was back to normal at the Singamata Reef Resort here following Wednesday’s kidnapping of a Chinese tourist and a Filipino resort worker.
Despite heavy presence of security force personnel patrolling around the island, tourists continue to make their way to the 60-room resort which is located about two nautical miles from Semporna town.
“We were aware of the incident but decided to go ahead with our plan to stay as we have booked the resort in advance,” said one Chinese tourist who only wished to be known as Wong.
Wong and her friends arrived at the Singamata Reef Resort just hours after their countryman and a Filipino staff were kidnapped from the resort.
“We received phone calls from our family back home after arriving in Tawau.
“After much consideration and discussion with the group, we decided to stay on and enjoy our holiday.
“After all, we had paid for the package and will be a waste if we have to abandon our trip,” she said, adding that several tourists have however decided to cut short their stay at the resort after learning of the abduction.
Meanwhile, two Australian couples said they had planned the family trip together to Sabah for a while.
Frank and Sandra Caruana, both 62, and their travel partners John and Sharon Clarke, have bought holiday package to spend 12 days in Sabah, which includes a couple of days at the state capital, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, and a two-day stay at the Mabul Resort.
When asked about safety, the four agreed that they did not feel threatened.
“Incidents happen anywhere, sometimes in places you least expected. So when we travel, we have to be careful and cautious at all times,” said Frank.