Bung said such an act was unethical because it could confuse the public throughout the world about the status of such destinations and locations.

“Such an act will raise doubts among tourists and the local community who intend to travel to such places.

“For example, if a foreigner intends to go to Sandakan and decides to search the destination on Google Map, it will show that Sandakan is in the Philippines,” he told reporters after launching a Sabah Land Development Board programme with settlers here today.

It was earlier reported that landmarks like Sandakan airport was changed to “Sandakan airport of the Philippines”, and the Tangkulap Forest Reserve was changed to “The Philippine Republic Tangkulap Forest Reserve”.

However, a check today showed Google Maps had changed the status to reflect the correct names and sovereign ownership, thus dropping the “Philippines”.

Though the problem had been rectified, the Kinabatangan MP urged the police to arrest those responsible for the unethical act.