Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has expressed disappointment over a recent joint operation by the Semporna Municipal Council and the police targeting illegal foreign-run travel agencies.
The operation, conducted on November 6, was intended to tackle unlicensed tourism activities but reportedly fell short, with key suspects managing to evade authorities.
Tiong has noted the public concern over the operation’s failure, which has raised questions about its effectiveness and possible underlying issues.
The minister suggested that the lack of results could stem from more serious irregularities, potentially including illegal dealings, bribery or prior tip-offs that allowed operators to escape before enforcement teams arrived.
“This misfire has led to public suspicions about the reasons behind its ineffectiveness,” Tiong said.
“There are complaints that certain parties with knowledge of the raid may have colluded with foreign nationals operating illegally, allowing them to evade capture.”
The botched crackdown has sparked public frustration, with some questioning whether the operation was more a display of enforcement than a genuine effort to address the issue.
Tiong noted that the public sentiment reflects disappointment, adding that “so-called enforcement efforts cannot be all show and no substance.”
Tiong urged the agencies involved to reassess and reflect on the operation’s shortcomings.
He called on officials to exercise greater diligence, warning against enforcement actions that fail to yield substantial outcomes and risk damaging public trust.
The minister’s remarks underline a push for more accountable and impactful enforcement in the tourism sector, particularly in hotspots like Semporna, where unlicensed tourism operations remain a pressing issue.
Tiong’s statement reflects a broader call for transparency and effectiveness in tackling illegal activities that could harm Malaysia’s tourism image, as well as the livelihood of local operators adhering to the law. - November 14, 2024
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