Sabah committed to highest standards of tourist safety
She gave the assurance in her welcome address at the Coordination Meeting on Tourism with Federal and State agencies, chaired by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Dato' Sri Tiong King Sing, at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru here on Tuesday.
'On behalf of the State Government, I extend my sincere appreciation to MOTAC for its continuous support in strengthening Malaysia's tourism industry. With strong collaboration between MOTAC, the State Government and our enforcement agencies, I am confident that we can make Sabah not only one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, but also one of the safest,' Liew said.
She also thanked Tiong for his consistent concern over safety issues affecting Semporna in particular, adding: 'We believe we share the same commitment, and the progress we've made is aligned with the Federal Government.
'For us, ensuring a safe tourism environment is not just about protecting lives and prioritising well-being, but also about safeguarding Malaysia's reputation as a world-class travel destination. Your continued attention and commitment to this matter means a lot,' she said.
Liew stressed that tourist safety is critical to maintaining the confidence of both domestic and international travellers, as well as potential investors.
'In this age of social media, even news of an isolated safety incident can spread rapidly and adversely impact our tourism image. That is why we must always remain vigilant.'
Acknowledging recent safety concerns involving accidents during scuba diving, snorkelling, and stand-up paddleboarding in marine and island areas, Liew said these highlight the need for stronger safety protocols, strict SOP compliance, and enhanced training for guides and boat operators.
She said the State Government has strengthened collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) to boost patrols and monitoring.
Multilingual safety signage has also been installed at high-risk tourist locations, including the arrival halls of Tawau and Sandakan airports.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, MOTAC Secretary-General Dato' Shaharudin Abu Sohot, Deputy State Secretary (Administration) Datuk Norlija @ Norlijah Danin, Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Deputy Permanent Secretary I Mary Malangking, Sabah Parks Director Datuk Dr Maklarin Lakim, and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit, along with MOTAC delegations.
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