KOTA KINABALU: Local businesses are affected as Chinese nationals who are in Semporna as “tourists” take over the businesses, claims former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

He urged the state government to take action going after such “tourists” who operate restaurants, lease boats and even offer transport all-in-one services for Chinese tourists.

The situation has affected local businesses, said Shafie where they are forced to compete with Chinese “tourists”, he said.

“I have received complaints from many local companies. They are local businessmen from the Malaysian Chinese community and not the Malays.

“They want me to raise the issue faced by the local Chinese community in Parliament,’’ said Shafie during the 2025 Budget debate at the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

Shafie said the locals are disappointed as the authorities have yet to take any action.

Those in the tourism industry in Semporna have lodged police reports against Chinese nationals who have entered the place as tourists and worked in Semporna without permits.

It has been reported that the Sabah immigration department conducted a raid a week earlier, where seven Chinese nationals were arrested for working illegally with social visit visas.

The persons-in-charge at the resort and construction were questioned by the authorities following the arrest.