Hotel Seri M’sia to ease room shortage in Semporna
SEMPORNA:
The Government will build a Seri Malaysia hotel in Semporna to reduce the shortage of hotel rooms here, especially during the festive seasons. Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Afdal said the site for the hotel had been identified and construction would begin this year. “We are confident that the hotel would meet the needs of local visitors and foreign tourists, especially during the festive seasons and the Lepa Regatta held each year here,” he said after presenting prizes to the winners of this year’s regatta. He said there had always been a shortage of hotel rooms here since the regatta was organised in 1994, adding that many of the local and. foreign tourists were forced to stay in Tawau or Lahad Datu, about two hours’ journey from Semporna. Mohd Shafie said he would discuss further the problem with the Tourism Ministry so that it could be overcome as soon as possible. On the 15th Lepa Regatta, he said he was happy that there were more visitors this time while the accompanying cultural programme was more organised. He said for next year’s event, it should be further improved in line with its status at the National Water Festival in the Malaysian tourism calendar. Maman Indangan, 45, from KampungTampi-Tampi Kibayan emerged champion for having the best decorated boat at this year’s regatta. He received his prize from Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah.
