According to Dayak Daily, Abang Johari said Sarawak wants to focus on knowledge-based tourism, which he believes will draw visitors who seek to preserve the state’s cultural, historical and natural heritage.

He said the state government is very protective of places like the Talang-Talang and Satang islands, for example, fearing that misbehaving tourists may endanger the natural reefs and marine ecosystem.

“Only quality tourists can appreciate nature, and that is the type of tourists we want to draw,” he said.

The Sarawak premier added that the state had spent RM70 million on an artificial reef in the Talang Satang National Park to enrich its marine resources.

He added trawlers were the main culprits that disrupted these reefs and its marine life.