KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will take stern action against those who cross borders illegally.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew was responding to reports of unauthorised entry into Philippine waters involving a tour operator and tourists visiting Sabah.
A Facebook page has posted the incident where 11 tourists were intercepted for unauthorised entry into Philippine waters on Sept 1.
The Philippine authorities nabbed eight Chinese nationals and three Malaysians aboard two motorised speedboats.
They revealed that those nabbed were tourists who had been vacationing in Semporna, Sabah, and were allegedly fishing in Malaysian waters when they unintentionally crossed into the Philippine territory.
The unauthorised entry of the tourists constitutes a violation of Philippine Immigration and maritime laws.
"Tour operators should be aware that it is illegal and unlawful to encroach on another country's territory.
"We (the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry) will request that the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry revoke the licence of tour operators who are found to have violated the laws," Liew said.
She denounced the action of tour operators who unnecessarily exposed tourists to danger, putting their safety at risk.
She said the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry will fully cooperate with enforcement agencies such as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and marine police in taking action against errant tourism players.