News
300 suspected Green Turtle eggs seized by Wildlife Dept
TUARAN: June 10, 2026 A 37-year-old man in Kampung Serusup here was detained to assist in investigations into the possession of protected wildlife products. The arrest followed a successful joint special operation by the Wildlife Crime Bureau (WCB) and the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) based on intelligence gathering and investigations. The operation team seized 300…
Semporna tourism growth must benefit locals
KOTA KINABALU: June 8, 2026 The Sabah government is committed to ensuring local communities remain the primary beneficiaries of tourism growth, particularly in Semporna, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said. He said tourism development must be balanced and inclusive, with economic benefits directly reaching Sabahans and local communities. Jafry was commenting on…
Sabah to draft long-term tourism blueprint
TUARAN: June 7, 2026 The Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry is drafting a Sabah Tourism Blueprint, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said. The blueprint is expected to be completed before the end of this year. He said it will chart long-term tourism direction and address sustainability and connectivity challenges. It will also reflect local…
Kaamatan festivities greet arrivals at KKIA
KOTA KINABALU: 30 May 2026 Tourism Malaysia welcomed domestic and international visitors through a vibrant Kaamatan celebration held in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA). The ceremony was attended by Tourism Malaysia director-general Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim; Tourism Malaysia Human Resources Division director Muhamad Nasir Pahmi;…
Matta Fair Sabah records 50pc rise in visitors despite lower international sales
KOTA KINABALU: May 27, 2026 The recent Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair Sabah recorded a 50 per cent increase in visitors, with 37,499 people visiting the fair from April 17 to 19, 2026, compared with more than 25,000 last year. Matta Sabah chairman Mohd Azlan Saleh Abd Salam said the increase…
Sabah vows firm action over fish bombing
KOTA KINABALU: May 25, 2026 The Sabah Government will take firm action against those involved in fish bombing activities following a recent incident at the coral reef restoration site on Pulau Selakan in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TMTS), Semporna. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the incident had caused serious destruction…
Sabah revises tourism strategy amid aviation challenges
KOTA KINABALU: May 11, 2026 Sabah is adopting a more adaptive approach to its tourism outlook as global aviation conditions continue to shift due to geopolitical tensions, rising costs, and changes in airline capacity. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said tourism planning for the state would be guided by a flexible…
Semporna to be developed as premier blue economy tourism hub
SEMPORNA: May 8, 2026 Semporna needs comprehensive planning to transform it into a premier tourism hub within the blue economy sector, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Hajiji said the district is unique as it is home to world-renowned tourist destinations, particularly Sipadan Island, as well as other islands that continue to attract visitors….
Semporna poised to become world-class sustainable marine tourism hub
SEMPORNA: May 7, 2026 Semporna is poised to emerge as a world-class sustainable marine tourism hub under Sabah’s Blue Economy agenda, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said. He said the district has already become a benchmark for high-value and sustainable tourism management, particularly through the implementation of a daily visitor quota system at Sipadan…
MAH, STB to align strategies amid tourism slowdown
KOTA KINABALU: May 5, 2026 Deputy Chief Minister II and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun has urged the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Sabah and Labuan and the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to work together more strategically in aligning tourism marketing with current conditions. He made the call as several hotels around Kota Kinabalu…