Kota Kinabalu: Sabah DAP has urged authorities to take immediate action following reports that transnational scam syndicates may be shifting their operations to Kota Kinabalu and Semporna.
Its Chairman, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, said an international investigative report claimed that criminal groups displaced from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar were relocating to Sabah, with as many as 130,000 individuals allegedly linked to the syndicates having entered East Malaysia since March.
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“The numbers need verifying, but the warning itself is already damaging. We cannot wait for proof before we act,” Phoong said.
He said recent enforcement operations in Labuan, Tawau and Semporna, which resulted in the dismantling of active scam syndicates, pointed to a growing threat.
Phoong also cited reports of unusual large-scale property rentals and suspicious gatherings in Kota Kinabalu, which he said could be linked to fraud, human trafficking, money laundering and illegal gambling activities.
“We spent years rebuilding trust after past security scares. Travel advisories were finally improving. Once Sabah is labelled a scam haven, tourists and investors could disappear overnight,” he said.
To address the threat, Phoong called for several immediate measures, including the establishment of a joint federal-state special task force, tighter immigration screening using Sabah’s immigration powers, and a comprehensive review of property rentals, business registrations and foreign residency applications.
He also urged property agents, hotels and local communities to promptly report suspicious activities, while calling for stronger financial monitoring, communications surveillance and cross-border police cooperation.
“Sabah will never be the next Myanmar border zone. Act now before these criminals dig in,” he said.
