KOTA KINABALU: People travelling to the highlands of Kundasang in Sabah for holidays should not steal flowers from gardens, say homestay operators.
Some of the operators have shared in their social media sites that even visitors stopping by to take photographs of the view have started plucking their plants as souvenirs, including newly-planted flowers.
Gee Luna said on the Kundasang Info Facebook page that some homestay owners have expressed their disappointment when they see their plants stolen or damaged due to improper handling when plucked.
“If you can’t afford to buy, at least ask for permission and we might give you a bud or two,” she said.
Luna said she was also a victim of flower thefts, including newly-planted flowers that were taken just as they're budding.
Many of Sabah’s homestays in Kundasang are surrounded by mini gardens of their own.
The sale of flowers is abundant along roadside stalls but are priced slightly higher than many florists.
Meanwhile, Sabah Homestay advisor Datuk Jeffry Yahya said that visitors to Kundasang should be considerate and refrain from stealing anything.
He said if one person thinks that it is not wrong to pluck one flower from just one place, hundreds of others might also think the same.
“So what do you think would happen to the flowers in these areas in the end?” he asked.
Jeffry, who is also Malaysia Homestay Entrepreneur Association vice-president, added that visitors can ask the operators of the premises if they could pluck the flowers if they cannot afford to buy it.
“If you really want the flower but cannot afford to buy it, maybe you can try asking the homestay operator for permission to pluck one, properly,” he said.
He said each plant takes time and effort to grow and the planters used their own money to purchase fertilisers and other planting materials.
Jeffry also advised visitors to prepare some extra cash if they are travelling domestically so that they would be able to buy whatever they like during vacation.