Collecting starfish viewed seriously by Ministry

18 May 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Sabah (KePKAS) wishes to clarify the recent viral social media incident involving the collection of starfish by a tourist believed to be a Chinese national, observed on a stand-up paddleboard in the waters off Kota Kinabalu.

Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew stated that KePKAS views this incident very seriously, as such actions contravene 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 occurred in the waters of Tanjung Aru, outside the boundaries of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, and involved a tour company," she said.

"A total of 30 starfish were collected, identified as the Horned Sea Star or Chocolate Chip Sea Star, locally known as tapak sulaiman bertanduk (Protoreaster nodosus)."

Liew added that these starfish play a vital role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem, and their removal could potentially disrupt this delicate environment.

In light of this, she urged all tour operators to exercise greater responsibility in ensuring that their tourists and staff strictly adhere to established guidelines and regulations, particularly those concerning the protection of marine life.

"Awareness and compliance with these regulations are essential to ensure the sustainability of our marine ecosystems for the benefit of future generations," she emphasised.

Reaffirming the Sabah State Government’s ongoing commitment to environmental conservation through KePKAS, Liew warned that the authorities will not hesitate to take stern action against any parties found to be in breach of wildlife and ecosystem regulations within the state.

"We will be collaborating with the relevant agencies to address this issue," she concluded.