90% plunge in Semporna tourist arrivals – Gan

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KOTA KINABALU: Tourist arrivals to Semporna have plunged between 80 to 90 per cent following the spate of kidnapping cases in Sabah, said Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) president Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah.

Gan, who is also Semporna Chinese Chamber of Commerce president, said tourists were rarely seen in Semporna lately after the abduction incidences.

Furthermore, businesses in Semporna had dropped by at least 40 per cent while developers were also facing difficulties in selling their housing and commercial properties in the east coast, he said when asked to comment on the current situation in Semporna yesterday.

Gan said the kidnapping cases in Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu had caused fear among the Chinese investors.

“If these kidnapping cases recur, they will negatively impact on the people and businesses in the east coast, deter foreign investments and tourist arrivals.

Gan said the locals who were born and raised in Semporna were faced with pirates, robbers and kidnappers again and again over the years.

“These crimes were not committed by locals, but by foreigners from the Philippines who intruded into Sabah.”

He said the Ministry of Defence would be more effective in tackling these intruders, as done by many countries worldwide when dealing with cross-border issues.

Gan said the Philippine government had a big responsibility to bear on the issue where its citizens intruded into Sabah repeatedly to commit kidnapping crimes.

“The Malaysian and Philippine governments should be very concerned and should discuss how both countries can overcome this issue.”