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Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Straits Times
Tourists warned against touching starfish in Sabah
The issue of tourists touching and holding marine creatures such as starfish has been highlighted on social media and news platforms over the years. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH KOTA KINABALU - Tourists will face stern action if they touch or collect starfish from waters off Sabah, said a state minister. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew said such actions violate ecotourism principles, which emphasise marine life conservation. Datuk Seri Liew added that this is a core value upheld by the Sabah government in its commitment to sustainable tourism. The state minister was responding to a viral video on social media where a tourist - believed to be a Chinese national - was seen collecting starfish while on a paddleboard in waters off Kota Kinabalu. 'We view this incident seriously and authorities will not hesitate to take stern action against any party found violating regulations related to wildlife and natural ecosystems in the state,' said Ms Liew. Following the widely circulated video, an investigation by the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks (LPATTS) confirmed that the incident occurred in Tanjung Aru waters and involved a tour company, she said. She said a total of 30 starfish were collected by the tourist, identified as the Horned Sea Star or Chocolate Chip Sea Star, known locally as tapak sulaiman bertanduk (Protoreaster nodosus). 'These starfish play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem, and their removal can potentially disrupt this delicate balance,' Ms Liew said. She urged all tour operators to ensure their tourists and staff adhere strictly to established guidelines and regulations, especially those concerning marine life protection. 'Awareness and compliance with these regulations are vital to ensure the sustainability of the marine ecosystem for the well-being of future generations,' she said. Stressing that the state government is committed to environmental conservation, Liew said they will work with relevant agencies regarding this issue. The issue of tourists touching and holding marine creatures such as starfish and turtles has been highlighted on social media and news platforms over the years. Various initiatives, including engagements with tour operators and local communities, have been held to address this matter, but such actions still occur occasionally. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- The Sun
Sabah warns tourists: Don't touch starfish, heavy fines
PETALING JAYA: The Sabah government has issued a stern warning to tourists about handling starfish in local waters, emphasising that such actions violate marine conservation principles and could result in significant penalties. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew confirmed that authorities are taking a zero-tolerance approach to wildlife interference after a recent incident near Tanjung Aru where a tourist was filmed collecting starfish while paddleboarding. 'The protection of our marine ecosystems is not optional—it's fundamental to Sabah's commitment to sustainable tourism,' Liew stated, according to a report by The Star. An investigation by the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks revealed that approximately 30 Horned Sea Stars (Protoreaster nodosus), locally known as 'tapak sulaiman bertanduk,' were removed from their natural habitat during the incident, which involved a tour company operating outside Tunku Abdul Rahman Park boundaries. Marine biologists have long emphasised that starfish serve a critical ecological function, and their removal can disrupt the delicate balance of underwater ecosystems. Liew urged tour operators to ensure strict compliance with wildlife protection guidelines, noting that 'awareness and adherence to conservation regulations are essential for preserving our marine heritage for future generations.' The state government has pledged to collaborate with relevant agencies to address recurring incidents of tourists handling protected marine life, despite numerous educational campaigns aimed at both visitors and tourism businesses in recent years. This case represents the latest in a series of similar incidents that have been documented on social media platforms, highlighting ongoing challenges in balancing tourism activities with environmental protection efforts in Sabah's coastal areas.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- The Sun
Sabah officials issue warning to tourists: Hands off Starfish
PETALING JAYA: The Sabah government has issued a stern warning to tourists about handling starfish in local waters, emphasising that such actions violate marine conservation principles and could result in significant penalties. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew confirmed that authorities are taking a zero-tolerance approach to wildlife interference after a recent incident near Tanjung Aru where a tourist was filmed collecting starfish while paddleboarding. 'The protection of our marine ecosystems is not optional—it's fundamental to Sabah's commitment to sustainable tourism,' Liew stated, according to a report by The Star. An investigation by the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks revealed that approximately 30 Horned Sea Stars (Protoreaster nodosus), locally known as 'tapak sulaiman bertanduk,' were removed from their natural habitat during the incident, which involved a tour company operating outside Tunku Abdul Rahman Park boundaries. Marine biologists have long emphasised that starfish serve a critical ecological function, and their removal can disrupt the delicate balance of underwater ecosystems. Liew urged tour operators to ensure strict compliance with wildlife protection guidelines, noting that 'awareness and adherence to conservation regulations are essential for preserving our marine heritage for future generations.' The state government has pledged to collaborate with relevant agencies to address recurring incidents of tourists handling protected marine life, despite numerous educational campaigns aimed at both visitors and tourism businesses in recent years. This case represents the latest in a series of similar incidents that have been documented on social media platforms, highlighting ongoing challenges in balancing tourism activities with environmental protection efforts in Sabah's coastal areas.
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
Tourists warned against touching starfish in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: Tourists will face stern action if they touch or collect starfish from waters off Sabah, says Datuk Seri Christina Liew. The State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said such actions violate ecotourism principles, which emphasise marine life conservation. Liew added that this is a core value upheld by the Sabah government in its commitment to sustainable tourism. She said another incident was reported, this time from the waters of Tanjung Aru, outside the boundaries of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. This matter was highlighted after videos circulated on social media showing a tourist, believed to be a Chinese national, on a paddleboard recently. 'We view this incident seriously and authorities will not hesitate to take stern action against any party found violating regulations related to wildlife and natural ecosystems in the state,' said Liew. Following the widely circulated video, an investigation by the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks (LPATTS) confirmed that the incident occurred in Tanjung Aru waters and involved a tour company, she said. She said a total of 30 starfish were collected, identified as the Horned Sea Star or Chocolate Chip Sea Star, known locally as tapak sulaiman bertanduk (Protoreaster nodosus). "These starfish play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem, and their removal can potentially disrupt this delicate balance," Liew said. She urged all tour operators to ensure their tourists and staff adhere strictly to established guidelines and regulations, especially those concerning marine life protection. "Awareness and compliance with these regulations are vital to ensure the sustainability of the marine ecosystem for the well-being of future generations," she said. Stressing that the state government is committed to environmental conservation, Liew said they will work with relevant agencies regarding this issue. The matter of tourists touching and holding marine creatures such as starfish and turtles has been highlighted on social media and news platforms over the years. Various initiatives, including engagements with tour operators and local communities, have been held to address this matter, but such actions still occur occasionally.
New Straits Times
18-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Hands off our starfish, Sabah minister warns tourists
KOTA KINABALU: Tourists should avoid touching or disturbing starfish, as doing so can harm the fragile marine ecosystem, said state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew. "Starfish help maintain the balance of the marine ecosystem, and their removal can disrupt this delicate balance." Liew was responding to a viral issue on social media regarding the collection of starfish by a tourist, believed to be a Chinese national. The tourist was seen collecting starfish while on a paddleboard in waters off Kota Kinabalu. Liew added that the ministry views the incident seriously, as such actions are contrary to the principles of ecotourism, which emphasise the conservation of marine life. "Investigations by the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks confirmed that the incident took place off Tanjung Aru, outside the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, and involved a tour company. "Thirty starfish were collected, identified as Horned Sea Star or Chocolate Chip Sea Star." Liew said that the authorities will take action against any party found violating regulations on wildlife and natural ecosystems.
