Act against street children harassing tourists on island
VISITORS are hoping the authorities will take action against the street kids harassing tourists in Semporna, Sabah.
Some of the children were seen approaching tourists at the town to beg for money.
Camuel Tsen, 37, from Kota Kinabalu, who came to dive at the world best diving site in Sipadan, said the presence of street urchins would paint a negative image of the place.
“The authorities should be doing something as there are many tourists coming to Semporna.
“Even if those kids are not citizens or without legal status, they still deserve an education,” he said, adding that it was the responsibility of the authorities to educate them. Authorities had been taking various and continuous measures in tackling street kids.
Semporna district officer Dr Chacho Bullah said the street urchin issue had been raised during the district action committee meeting which stated that further action would be taken by the Welfare Department.
“There have been many arrests made during integrated operations by the Eastern Sabah Security Command, district office, Welfare Department, Immigration Department and Customs Departments.
“However, these children would beg and disturb tourists at unpredictable time and place,” he said, adding that the children were from the sea gypsy community.