Kota Kinabalu: The State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry (Kepkas) is committed to facilitating a solution to licensing issues affecting some local tourism operators in Semporna.
Its Minister, Datuk Jafry Ariffin, said discussions with the relevant authorities found that some licence applications remained pending due to incomplete documentation, failure to meet licensing requirements and other technical issues.
He said premises operating under Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL) cannot currently be licensed under existing regulations, while the Semporna District Council is reviewing the zoning plan for its waters, including proposed rezoning, to align with current tourism development needs.
Jafry said he would discuss the matter with Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Arif to explore practical solutions that would assist local operators without compromising compliance with existing laws and regulations.
He urged tourism operators to cooperate by fulfilling all licensing requirements, adding that Kepkas would continue to coordinate discussions with the relevant ministries, local authorities and agencies to ensure the issue is comprehensively resolved and support the sustainable growth of Semporna's tourism industry.
