Chan said the move was tarnishing Sabah’s image as it is seen as taking advantage of the tourists keen to take in the view every day. The sunset (right) at Tanjung Aru Beach.
Kota Kinabalu: The practice of some hawkers charging RM20 just for visitors to sit at a table and watch the famed Tanjung Aru beach sunset should be stopped immediately, says the National Consumer Foundation (NCF).
Amid a social media storm over the charges, NCF Sabah Chairman David Chan said the move was tarnishing Sabah’s image as it is seen as taking advantage of the tourists keen to take in the view every day.
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“Our tourists should not be taken advantage of. It would tarnish Sabah’s eco-tourism image,” he said Thursday, adding even locals were affected.
The beach was a public area, he pointed out.
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Some hawkers have put up tables and chairs on the beach, charging RM20 for a group of six and RM15 for four.
This led to an outcry on social media, with many questioning if the traders were even allowed to do so in the first place.
Chan said he did not know if the management of Tanjung Aru Eco-Development (TAED) had given the hawkers permission.
“TAED should clarify immediately and stop this if they are not allowed to do so,” he said, adding if the hawkers were allowed to put up tables and chairs there, they should add signs clearly indicating that the furniture is for customers only to avoid misunderstandings.
He urged tourists and locals to lodge complaints with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
“This is in line with efforts to maintain fair trade practices and uphold Sabah’s reputation as a welcoming destination,” he added.
Chan said they could file a complaint at
https://www.kpdn.gov.my/index.php/ms/kepenggunaan/hak-pengguna/aduan-pengguna or via WhatsApp at 019-279 4317.
When contacted, TAED Chairman Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said he was unaware of the matter and would get the management to look into it.
During weekends, up to 3,000 people including tourists converge on the beach to watch the sunset, which has been described as among the best views in the world.
Meanwhile, Warisan Vice President Datuk Junz Wong strongly condemned the practice and questioned whether the State Government had authorised such practice, stressing that public spaces like beaches should remain free and accessible to all.
“It is completely unacceptable for business operators to impose charges on Sabahans and tourists for using public spaces,” Wong said.
He demanded an explanation from the authorities on how these hawkers were allowed to operate on public land and charge patrons for basic amenities.
Wong said even if the hawkers had permits to run their stalls, allowing them to charge visitors to sit at tables on a public beach was an abuse of their rights.
“The beach is a public space, and it should not be commercialised in this manner,” he said.
The Tanjung Aru Assemblyman urged for continuous monitoring to prevent such occurrences in the future.
“The beach is a public area, and we do not want selfish business operators taking advantage of Sabahans and tourists on this public beach,” he said.
Warisan Kota Kinabalu Division Secretary Loi Kok Liang, in echoing Wong’s concerns, said such practices could significantly damage the State’s tourism reputation.
“In today’s digital era, negative news spreads quickly through social media, and this could tarnish the image of Tanjung Aru Beach and our state’s tourism in seconds,” Loi said.
Both Wong and Loi said the issue could have broader implications for tourism in Sabah, urging authorities to take swift action to protect the rights of the public and maintain the image of one of Kota Kinabalu’s most iconic destinations.
