Five individuals and tourist companies amended for turtle harassment on SABAH

Kota Kinabalu, March 15 – Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sabah environment takes a firm position on the recent viral incident that involves harassing a large tortoise on Manukan Island.

His minister, Datuk Seri Christina Liew, said that the ministry has taken strict measures within Parks for inaction 1984 (amendment 2024) by issuing notifications composed to five persons involved in the incident, as well as to the responsible company.

“The actions of those seen in the video are irresponsible and are against the principles of marine conservation that the Sabah government supports strongly.

“We ask all the tour operators to assume a greater responsibility in ensuring the fact that both tourists and their staff comply with the established guidelines and regulations,” she said in a statement today.

Liew said that awareness and observance of these regulations are crucial for keeping the marine ecosystem for future generations.

“The Sabah government remains employed in terms of environmental conservation and will not compromise when it comes to applying the laws regarding the protection of wildlife and ecosystems, either inside or outside the designated park,” the statement shows.

In videos, which lasted 31 seconds, respectively 1 minute 4 seconds, the divers were seen disturbing the turtle while sinking into what is believed to be the waters around Manukan. – Bernama