Tourist Calls Semporna One of the Dirtiest Places Ever Visited

Semporna Criticised by Tourist Over Poor Hygiene

Semporna, Sabah — a town known for being a gateway to Malaysia’s most beautiful islands — has come under fire after a tourist claimed it to be one of the dirtiest places he’s ever been to.

In a TikTok video posted by @backpacker_ben, the foreign traveler shared his disappointment over the conditions at Semporna’s main jetty, where most visitors begin their island-hopping adventures.

Garbage, Murky Water & No Trash Bins

He highlighted how the jetty area was filled with trash and the water had turned murky with a strong foul smell. He said he had to carry an empty bottle for over an hour because there was no trash bin in sight — and he refused to litter.

“This is the jetty where tourists start their journey. I can’t even imagine what the islands are going to look like,” he said, adding that Semporna now ranks in his top five dirtiest places.

Locals Blame Foreign Settlers

The video quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions. While many agreed it’s time the local authorities cleaned up the area, others defended the town by shifting blame to undocumented immigrants believed to be residing there.

According to several comments, these areas are heavily populated by foreigners who don’t maintain cleanliness and treat the land poorly.

“That area is mostly settled by non-citizens. They really don’t care,” one commenter wrote.

Some even remarked that the atmosphere there feels more like parts of Indonesia or the Philippines — claiming cultural habits of littering have been imported into the area.

Public Outcry for Action

The viral post has sparked new demands for better waste management and immediate intervention. With Semporna’s growing popularity among international tourists, Malaysians are calling for swift action to restore its image and preserve its natural beauty.

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Source : Tiktok

@backpacker_ben

Asia’s Dirtiest town! 🇲🇾 #fyp #travel #malaysia #semporna #traveltiktok

♬ original sound - Backpacker Ben

By – Tarziman — 02/10/2025, 09:58AM