SEMPORNA, Aug. 15 -- Once a rugged coastal town, Semporna has transformed into a thriving hub for tourists, with thousands arriving daily to explore the pristine islands off Sabah's east coast.

An estimated 2,000 visitors, mostly from mainland China, now arrive in Semporna each day, fuelling demand for services ranging from boat guides and accommodation to souvenir shops and seafood restaurants.

Clusters of water bungalows, both on the mainland and nearby islands, have been sprouting up, earning Semporna the nickname "Malaysia's Maldives" for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque beaches.

Alongside the surge, however, come opportunities for locals as well as mounting concerns - from socio-economic pressures to environmental and infr...