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 Island.
According to him, the system has successfully balanced environmental conservation with tourism activities while preserving the island’s ecological sustainability.
“At the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, we are witnessing harmonious synergy between tourism, biodiversity conservation and community participation.
“This is the foundation of the community-based tourism concept that we want to expand because it ensures that Semporna’s natural wealth is returned to its people,” he said during a dinner held in conjunction with his working visit to the district as part of the ESS Zone Security Inspection.
Hajiji said the state government is also focusing on upgrading tourism-related infrastructure in Semporna to support the sector’s long-term growth.
He said this includes the modernisation of jetty facilities, improvements to logistics connectivity and the provision of more organised, safe and world-class public tourism facilities.
At the same time, he stressed that sustainability must remain a priority amid increasing tourism development pressures in areas such as Mabul Island and Kapalai Island.
“If not managed properly, we risk damaging the natural assets that are the state’s economic goldmine.
“Sustainability must be seen as an investment, not a burden,” he said.
Hajiji said all future development in Semporna must be guided by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles to ensure a balance between economic progress and long-term environmental sustainability.
He added that Semporna has the potential to become a model for coastal tourism development and a centre of reference for Blue Economy excellence in Sabah.
