Christina Liew
KOTA KINABALU: The presence of foreign nationals operating Chinese restaurants in Semporna boils down to the principle of supply and demand in economics, says Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew.
She said the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry (KePKAS) cannot stop foreigners from opening restaurants there if they obtain a trading licence and work permits.
“We found that one restaurant operated by foreign nationals has more customers compared to the one run by local Chinese businessmen. So, when there is demand, there is supply to meet the demand. The foreign nationals also possess a trading licence, and this goes back to the local authorities in the district,” Liew said in replying to Senallang Assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here Monday.
Shafie raised concerns about foreign nationals owning restaurants at the expense of the local business community.
He said he had received complaints that tourists from China had ended up working as dive masters and opening restaurants in Semporna.
In response, Liew said it is not the stand of her ministry to permit tourists, who come to Semporna, to work as dive masters if they have no dive master licence.
“No, we don’t encourage them. They come in as tourists and they leave as tourists. We don’t allow them to seek employment illegally, without going through the proper channels to obtain the necessary documents,” she asserted.
