PETALING JAYA, Nov 20 — Traders in Sandakan have lamented that they suffered a drop in business following the kidnapping of two locals by armed gunmen in May.
Restaurant owner Danny Tiong, 46, said business has been poor as his customers were mainly tourists.
“Business is bad since the kidnapping. Not many tourists are coming to Sandakan. Despite tighter security, the tourists are just not coming,” he said.
“If I am unable to sustain my business and I may have to wind down and find a new source of income. I never expected it would be this bad,” he said.
Tiong added that he is contemplating moving to Peninsular Malaysia for a fresh start.
Another restaurateur, who wanted to be known as Chang, 50, said he would close his business next month as he was unable to settle his loans due to poor earnings.
“I would rather lose my business than to be debt-ridden. Smaller businesses were hit hard after the kidnapping as tourists have shied away.
“It will take a long time before tourists feel it is safe to return. I hope there would not be another kidnapping case here,” he said.
A spokesman for Hotel ibis Styles Sandakan Waterfront, however, said business has begun to pick up after increased security in the area.
“Security forces patrolled the area frequently several months ago but since the situation is now stable, they are just doing patrols at night. It feels much safer now compared to May,” he said.
“The incident did not affect the hotel.”
