The video, uploaded on TikTok by a vlogger known as Backpacker Ben, saw him walking past a water village strewn with floating garbage. The vlogger also complained about the smell in the area and the lack of dustbins to dispose of trash.

“I saw a video claiming that Semporna is the dirtiest town in Asia. I urge the Member of Parliament for Semporna to be more active and go to the ground more often,” Nga said in a separate video today.

“From what I understand, he (Shafie) has been the Semporna MP for over 30 years. I hope he will work harder and be more present so that Semporna will no longer be known as the dirtiest town in Asia.”

Nga said with Visit Malaysia 2026 around the corner, it was Shafie’s responsibility to ensure that cleaning efforts in the area were carried out effectively.

“I leave it to him to carry out his duties as the people’s representative,” he said.

Shafie has been the Semporna MP since 1995. A former Sabah chief minister, he is also the assemblyman for Senallang, which covers Semporna town and Mabul island.

Semporna serves as the gateway to popular islands like Sipadan and Mabul, which attract thousands of tourists annually.