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Investors from China, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are keen on locating opportunities to develop investments in Semporna tourism.
Datuk Jaujan Sambakong, the Deputy Chief Minister explained that seven investors classified as billionaires were now in Semporna and were keeping an eye on the potential of developing the tourism sector in Semporna.
“They met Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and offered to develop Semporna. They have also met me and among others have stated that problems like garbage need to be addressed immediately towards plans to make Semporna a world-class tourist destination,” he said.
Jaujan, who is the Housing and Local Government Minister and Sulabayan assemblyman as well stated that this when met by reporters at the Bukit Lalang District Voting Centre Aidil Fitri Open House here.
According to Jaujan, Semporna was almost similar to a valuable pearl that required to be utilized and the local community played a good role in safeguarding its beauty other than emphasizing the cultural uniqueness, especially of the Bajau community.
In the meantime, he expected that Silam Member of Parliament from Party Warisan Sabah, Mohammadin Ketapi, who was nominated as Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, could lift the Sabah tourism sector, especially Semporna to the global level.“A seven-star tourism industry is not only valued from the aspect of natural beauty but needs to get support in terms of tourism infrastructure and this requires the strong partnership between the federal and state governments,” he said.
In the meanwhile, according to Jaujan, the tourism ministry could reach an agreement to grow direct flights from abroad such as China, South Korea and Japan to Sabah, especially in Tawau.
“There are complaints from international travellers arriving in Semporna following limited flights and being forced to board more than two flights before arriving in Semporna.”
