Do Not Destroy One of Sabah’s Vital Economic Pillars with Our Own Hands - Luyang Assemblyman
Luyang Assemblyman Samuel Wong has urged the authorities to take immediate and decisive steps to strengthen Sabah’s tourism industry, warning that poor management, weak enforcement and safety gaps could damage one of the region’s most important economic pillars.
Wong said tourism has long been a key driver of Sabah’s economy, creating jobs and generating 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 done 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.
He pointed out that many tourism areas in Sabah still require basic improvements such as better road access to popular attractions, brighter lightings, proper parking spaces, clean public toilets, clear signages, waste management systems and consistent maintenance of public facilities.
Wong also stressed that tourist safety and security must be treated as a top priority, especially at remote tourism locations and islands that are 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.
He added that authorities should also strengthen coordination with emergency services such as ambulances, marine rescue units and local medical facilities to ensure tourists can receive timely assistance if accidents occur.
“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.
Wong stressed that enforcement against illegal tourism operators must also be strengthened 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 unauthorized tour packages that operate outside the legal framework,” he said.
He added that the government should also 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 emphasized 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 explained that higher value tourism can be developed through eco-tourism, cultural tourism, adventure tourism, sports tourism, wedding tourism and community-based tourism, which can generate better income and longer stays from visitors.
Wong pointed out that Sabah is blessed with world-class natural attractions including pristine islands, rich biodiversity, rainforests and unique cultural heritage, which many destinations around the world do not possess.
“Sabah has majestic mountain, 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 Sabah has yet to fully maximize 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 take advantage of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign 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. We must act now. Sabah has waited far too long to build the strong and sustainable tourism engine that this state truly deserves.
“If we get the fundamentals right such as 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.”
YB Samuel Wong
Luyang Assemblyman
