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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 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.
Daily Express
19-05-2025
- Daily Express
Minister reacts to tourist collecting starfish
Published on: Monday, May 19, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 19, 2025 Text Size: Liew said the Ministry views this incident seriously as such actions are contrary to the principles of ecotourism, which emphasise the conservation of marine life, a core value upheld by the State Government in its commitment to sustainable tourism. Kota Kinabalu: The State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry wants every operator to exercise greater responsibility in ensuring that their tourists and staff adhere to the established guidelines and regulations, particularly those concerning the protection of marine life. Its Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew gave the reminder in reaction to a viral issue on social media regarding the collection of starfish by a tourist believed to be a Chinese national, seen on a paddleboard (stand-up paddle) in Kota Kinabalu waters. Advertisement She said the Ministry views this incident seriously as such actions are contrary to the principles of ecotourism, which emphasise the conservation of marine life, a core value upheld by the State Government in its commitment to sustainable tourism. 'Investigations conducted by the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks confirmed that the incident happened in the water of Tanjung Aru, outside the boundaries of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and involved a tour company,' she said in a statement, here, Sunday. '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,' she said. Advertisement 'Awareness and compliance with these regulations are vital to ensure the sustainability of the marine ecosystem for the wellbeing of future generations,' she added. Stressing that the State Government, through the Ministry, remains committed to environmental conservation efforts, Liew warned that the authorities will not hesitate to take stern action against any party found violating regulations related to wildlife and natural ecosystems in the State. 'We will be working with the relevant agencies regarding this issue,' she added. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
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.
Borneo Post
18-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Sabah takes stern stance after tourist collects protected starfish
Christina Liew KOTA KINABALU (May 18): The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Sabah (KePKAS) views seriously the recent viral issue on social media regarding the collection of starfish by a tourist believed to be a Chinese national, seen on a paddleboard (stand-up-paddle) in the waters of Kota Kinabalu. Its minister, Datuk Seri Christina Liew, said as such actions are contrary to the principles of ecotourism, which emphasise the conservation of marine life, a core value upheld by the Sabah State Government in its commitment to sustainable tourism. 'Investigations conducted by the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks (LPATTS) confirmed that the incident took place in the waters of Tanjung Aru, outside the boundaries of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, and involved a tour company. '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 in a statement on Sunday. In light of this, the minister urged all tour operators to exercise greater responsibility in ensuring that their tourists and staff adhere strictly to the established guidelines and regulations, particularly those concerning the protection of marine life. '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 Sabah State Government, through KePKAS, remains committed to environmental conservation efforts, Liew warned that the authorities will not hesitate to take stern action against any party found violating regulations related to wildlife and natural ecosystems in the State. 'We will be working with the relevant agencies regarding this issue,' she added.
