KOTA KINABALU: Sabah must urgently improve safety measures and infrastructure if it hopes to enhance its tourism image ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, said Luyang Assemblyman Samuel Wong.
“Sabah cannot claim world-class status while tourists continue to face threats from fatal accidents linked to illegal operators, as well as incidents of robbery and physical attacks,” he said.
Speaking at the State Budget Debate 2026, Samuel stressed that safety, enforcement, and credibility must be treated as core tourism infrastructure rather than secondary concerns. He pointed to past incidents, including tourist drownings and other fatal accidents, many of which were associated with illegal or unregulated operators.
“These incidents not only result in needless loss of life but also tarnish Sabah’s reputation on the global stage,” he said.
Urging the government to strengthen enforcement, Samuel warned that illegal operators undermine industry standards and tourist safety, pose a threat to legitimate tourism players, and contribute to economic leakage when profits do not remain within the local economy.
He also questioned the state’s readiness to accommodate the higher volume of visitors expected during Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
“Before talking about growth, we must talk about capacity. With a significant increase in tourist arrivals anticipated, we need to ask whether our roads, hotels, public amenities, electricity and water supply, and other facilities are sufficient and capable of supporting this growth,” he said.
Samuel noted that infrastructure challenges already pose a recurring problem in and around Kota Kinabalu, even without peak tourist volumes. These include persistent road issues, water shortages, and power outages that have affected hotels and commercial areas, including those in urban centres.
He emphasised that a world-class destination is not defined by slogans, branding, or marketing alone, but by preparedness, safety, service quality, and consistency.
Citing Luyang as a case study, Samuel said residents in his constituency continue to face recurring infrastructure problems. He lamented that pothole-riddled roads are repeatedly repaired, only for the same issues to resurface within months.
He further highlighted clogged drains in areas such as Lido, Jindo, Kepayan Ridge, Kg Kopungit, and Taman Foh Sang, which have resulted in flash floods, stagnant water, and mosquito breeding. He noted that these problems persist despite annual budget allocations, with drainage maintenance remaining largely reactive rather than preventive.
Samuel also raised concerns over malfunctioning streetlights, which he said pose safety risks to residents. Poorly lit areas not only cause daily inconvenience but also increase the risk of crime and create fear within the community.
He revealed that there have been six attempted house break-ins in Luyang, underscoring the importance of functioning streetlights in ensuring safety, visibility, and effective crime deterrence.
Samuel reiterated Sabahans “deserve better” and urged the House to support measures that prioritize readiness, safety and quality of life for residents and visitors alike. – Mohd Izham Bin Hashim
Samuel said infrastructure challenges already pose a recurring problem in and around Kota Kinabalu.
