They say the RM5 fee is affecting their business since a fee is already being charged by the fisheries department for visiting the islands, which were gazetted as a marine park in 1994.

Meanwhile, an MDB spokesman said the council decided to charge tourists RM5 from the end of last year after noting an increase in the number of visitors.

“As local authorities, we want to provide visitors with the best service possible throughout their stay, be it parking lots, lighting systems, rubbish collection and others,” said the spokesman, adding that the fee applied to both Malaysians and foreigners.

The spokesman also said the right to impose such charges came under Section 171 of the Local Government Act 1976.

All matters concerning marine parks, however, is under the fisheries department.

A check on the fisheries department’s website showed that an RM5 entry fee for Malaysians and RM30 fee for foreigners were meant for island conservation efforts.

All proceeds go to the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Trust Fund, which is used to manage and maintain marine parks across the country.

A travel industry employee in Kuala Besut, who identified himself as Ahmad, said visitors, including foreigners, had complained about the RM5 fee imposed by the council on top of the existing entry fee.

This was especially so if they came in large numbers, for example, with their families.

“They said it would be better to visit islands in Thailand instead,” said Ahmad.