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Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Focus Malaysia
Confusion over MATTA and MATA—intentional or otherwise?
I REFER to the Bernama report 'New tourist bus safety regulations in Malaysia from Aug 1' published on July 14. The first paragraph is reproduced here in toto: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATA) has voiced strong support for the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) in enforcing new regulations for tourist bus operations. And the following paragraph: Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khalid Harun JP, MATA president, stated that the updated rules, effective from Aug 1, will introduce stricter maintenance schedules, driver working hour limits, GPS tracking, and compulsory six-month safety checks. Over the past six years, some reporters and editors were unclear or confused between MATTA and MATA, and they were not at fault if they had been misled or not corrected, But it had brought much confusion among the public. MATTA was established half a century ago, and its registered name was 'Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents'. Its acronym was also used in the 50-year-old logo. The headquarters of the association is housed in its own building in Kuala Lumpur named Wisma MATTA, On the other hand, MATA was founded six years ago in 2019 and shares the same Seremban address as Housecoff Travel & Tours as listed by MOTAC, with Datuk Seri Dr H Mohd Khalid Harun as the president & CEO. Interestingly, Khalid served as MATTA president until 2013. But on Sept 11, 2014, MATTA held an extraordinary general meeting which voted overwhelmingly to expel five of its members, including Khalid, who were office bearers of MATA for causing moral and material damage to MATTA. MATA was registered as 'Persatuan Agensi Pelancongan Malaysia' and the correct translation is Malaysia Tourism Agency Association and abbreviation MTAA. Both the above official Malay and English names are stated in its website Instead of using MTAA, MATA was used to masquerade as MATTA and its popular MATTA Fairs. Before the pandemic, there were more than 3,600 MATTA corporate members in 2019. MATTA's website allows the public to verify all its members listed in 'Member Directory'. In contrast, MATA's website has only four names, all from its 'Executive Committee' and an occasion scheduled in 2022 is still listed under 'Upcoming Events'. It appears there were hardly any activities in MATA, but claims to represent the majority of tourism players in Malaysia. There are more than 10 travel associations in Malaysia listed in 'Travel associations are one too many' published on May 28, 2020, which may provide an inkling as to why they were set up. Are these trade bodies serving their industry or just a platform to draw attention and gain importance? ‒ July 18, 2025 YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: MATTA
Focus Malaysia
6 days ago
- Focus Malaysia
Shortcomings exposed in issuing and complying with MOTAC ruling
I WAS shocked with the heading of a report 'MATTA slams rule for crash report within 24 hours, says industry not consulted', which was published last Friday. While members of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) may be happy that its leaders stood up to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC), such publicised criticism is rather unusual as it had preferred working behind closed doors for better outcomes. However, I was relieved by another report 'MATTA: Rethink road crash rulings' published the next day. The difference is stark with the first heading using 'slams' and the second 'rethink', and this could easily occur in any press conference, as reporters interpret the same message differently. It is much easier to speak and explain during the question and answer session than preparing an informative press statement. Nevertheless, it is necessary for accuracy and it can be forwarded to other media not present, and especially to relevant government agencies involved in the matter. It was reported that from July 1, companies licensed by MOTAC under the Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business (TOBTAB) regulations are required to report any accident to the ministry within 24 hours, or risk having their company licence revoked. The ministry was established in 1987 to take over from the Tourist Development Corporation and TOBTAB was introduced thirty eight years ago. Is the ruling new? Or is it an old one resurrected after a spate of nasty accidents involving Bas Persiaran, commonly known as tour buses? Understandably, MOTAC would not be able to provide any information or manage a crisis if kept in the dark, but it may not have ready resources and competency to handle well. For example, action against illegal or errant operators is lacking due to the shortage of enforcement officers. Does the overarching rule cover only road accidents involving tour buses and vans? Or any deaths and injuries entailing all forms of road, rail, cable and water transport? What about other activities such as diving, caving, mountain climbing, theme park rides, robbery and homicide? Here, the focus is on road accidents. It is common knowledge that a police report has to be made within 24 hours of a road accident, unless the affected parties chose to settle privately, especially for collisions that are minor and making an insurance claim is not worth the trouble. The 24 hours is meant to facilitate the investigation officer (IO) to meet up with both parties within a short time, as drivers involved usually lodge reports separately, only after they are ready to make the trip to the police station. Usually, the IO will issue a compound fine to the driver at fault. A report can still be made after 24 hours and the driver is likely to receive a compound fine for being late. The same applies to those failing to make a police report but the other driver did. The IO will have a notice issued requiring the driver to turn up at the police station to see him. But there can be extenuating circumstances, such as the driver could be seriously injured or killed. If so, will MOTAC accept reports based on statements by witnesses or victims such as the tourist guide or passengers on board, other road users, recordings by dashcams or CCTV? Were all these taken into account or spelled out when the ruling was made? What kind of report MOTAC requires within 24 hours of an accident? Can it be a series of progressive reports based on information gathered? To get a copy of the police report, a request must be made at the station. Even before that, if the IO was off duty earlier, one may have to make another trip to the police station to meet up with him to complete the investigation and the police report. If this is deemed complicated, it is nothing compared to the tour arrangements involving multiple parties. For a foreign tour group, it could involve the overseas outbound tour operator, local inbound tour operator, and another tour company that provided the excursion bus. Sometimes, the service could be substituted at the last moment by yet another bus operator or a freelance driver. There are also individual drivers who own their tour buses and have bought them using the bus licence and the name of a tour company granted the Bas Persiaran permit. These owner-drivers work unsupervised, and they are determined to run many trips to earn as much as they can. ‒ July 14, 2025 YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Bernama
The Star
12-07-2025
- The Star
PSV licences only suspended if serious offence confirmed, says Transport Minister
BENTONG: The Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence of bus drivers involved in road accidents will only be suspended after a thorough investigation confirms they committed a serious offence, says the Transport Minister. Anthony Loke said that this approach is designed to ensure road user safety while upholding the driver's right to a fair and comprehensive investigation. 'A PSV licence won't be immediately suspended just because a driver was involved in an accident. 'A full investigation will be carried out first. If the driver is found to have committed a serious offence, such as reckless driving, only then will their PSV licence be suspended,' he told reporters after the East Coast Rail Link's (ECRL) Genting Tunnel breakthrough ceremony here on Saturday (July 12). Loke added that, previously, disciplinary action could only be taken after a court verdict — a process that could take years. He said that during the period, drivers who posed potential risk were still allowed on the roads. 'We can't allow a driver involved in a serious accident to continue operating a bus for three or four years just because the case is pending in court. 'That would endanger passengers' lives. This is why we're using existing Road Transport Department (JPJ) powers to act earlier, though still based on proper investigations,' he added. Loke acknowledged differing views from drivers' associations and bus companies, but stressed that passenger safety must always take precedence. 'Public sentiment calls for stricter and faster action against reckless drivers, and that's what we're prioritising,' said Loke, adding that bus operators would also face consequences if found neglecting safety procedures or failing to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs). Previously, it was reported that the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) had slammed the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry for requiring tour companies to submit a report within 24 hours of any accident, or risk having their business licence cancelled. MATTA president Nigel Wong said the move was an 'extreme' measure introduced without consulting industry players.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
MATTA: Rethink road crash rulings
Expert insight: Subramaniam (left) and Wong at the press conference in Kuala Lumpur. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: A recent Transport Ministry directive over the suspension of vocational licences of commercial vehicle drivers involved in road accidents has raised the concern of Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA). Its president Nigel Wong said the ruling will affect tour bus drivers and lead to complications involving labour laws such as the employment of drivers and the continuation of their salaries. He also expressed concern over a circular issued by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) that travel agents will be required to submit a report within 24 hours of an accident. Their operating licences will be revoked if they fail to do so. Wong said the recent spate of accidents of both licensed and unlicensed buses and whether or not the vehicles carried tourists had left an impression that all the cases involved tour buses. 'Investigations should be conducted first before deciding where the burden of fault lies. 'There could be many factors that may cause an accident, including those unrelated to the vehicle or its driver, such as road conditions,' he said at a press conference here yesterday. 'We stand behind the government in ensuring a safe tourism and transportation ecosystem, and emphasis on the quality of drivers and road safety. 'However, when such accidents occur, there should not be any knee-jerk reactions. There is a rule of law and a process to be followed. A 24-hour time frame to submit a report is not reasonable. 'The industry needs support and understanding while we try to better ourselves rather than being imposed with additional regulations. 'There should be a holistic approach by improving processes as a whole for the tourism industry,' said Wong. He urged the relevant agencies to hold discussions and cooperate with industry players to iron out the grey areas and lack of clarity in the rulings, which has left tourism businesses in a quandary. Meanwhile, MATTA vice-president of land transportation Subramaniam Kandasamy said the government should reconsider the rulings on one-day submission of reports and the suspension of driving licences. 'Because of the fault of one driver, shutting down a whole company will affect the livelihood of other staff and their families. 'As for the suspension of licences, does the company continue paying a driver because a report can be lodged with the Labour Department if he does not get paid? These are the ripple effects that may arise from such rulings,' Subramaniam said. He urged the government to engage industry players for a solution that benefits all parties. Separately, Wong commended the Transport Ministry over new laws that forbid taxi touts from carrying out their activities at Malaysian airports, including KL International Airport. He said the move is timely and a stern message to illegal taxi operators. On July 6, Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said vocational licences of commercial vehicle drivers involved in crashes will be suspended until investigations are completed. They comprise the Public Service Vehicle licence for passenger vehicles and Goods Driving Licence for goods vehicles. In a circular issued by Motac last month, travel operating business and travel agency business permit holders are required to submit a report with the ministry on any road accident involving their tour vehicles within 24 hours of the incident. The ministry said failure to comply with the ruling may result in the revocation of the permit without notice.
Focus Malaysia
10-07-2025
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Safety should be the core, not an option
I WAS delighted when reading the heading of a report 'Making tourists feel safe is our top priority, says MATTA Melaka Chapter'. Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Melaka Chapter Chairman Goh Hock Gin said his team is working closely with government departments and enforcement agencies to strengthen safety measures and boost traveller confidence ahead of major tourism campaigns. The historic city is gearing up to host key events for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), and also the World Tourism Day on Sept 27, plus World Tourism Conference from Sept 27‒29. After unveiling the VM2026 promotional vehicle stickers on July 8, Goh said, 'In conjunction with both major tourism events, MATTA has launched the 'Tourism Safety Awareness Seminar' to ensure that safety remains at the core of our tourism revival efforts.' 'Today's seminar is not just about procedures but about restoring trust with holidaymakers. We want every tourism player to prioritise security, hospitality and professionalism. By putting safety first, we are also strengthening Malaysia's global image as a leading travel destination.' 'This sticker is not just about branding. It is a promise to tourists that the tourism operators adhere to the highest standards of safety and service.' Using vehicle stickers for campaigns reminds me of patrol cars displaying 'No Bribery' on their rear windscreen many years ago. There were also campaigns to train and brand metered taxi drivers as tourism ambassadors, but many continued to decline un-lucrative trips or fix fares. If business operators were to be asked, they would claim to place safety first. However, this could easily be debunked if they have not taken any of the five critical steps needed to ensure safety, not just for customers, but also for their workers, bystanders and the public at large. While facilitating the module 'Preparing for Future Shocks' in the Travel and Tours Enhancement Course (TTEC) for tour and transport operators, I would remind participants that safety starts with planning, followed by implementation, operations, monitoring and also conducting timely reviews. Similar to responsible tourism, safety is not just something nice to have but must be incorporated into all activities and services. In fact, it should be part of the company's DNA and make its corporate culture, not relegated as an option or slogan. Over the years, I was pivotal in developing the module on 'Safety and Security of Tourists' and also the 'Contingency Plans Workshop'. The litmus test to determine how much organisations give priority to safety is whether they have prepared plans to manage all kinds of contingencies. Chances are, almost all have not, including large and small tour operators. I have introduced contingency planning into TTEC for participants to learn the seven key steps. It is a lengthy and comprehensive process requiring many weeks or even months to be fully complete. In a situation when there are two equally good bidders with similar pricing and service, the better choice would be the one with superior contingency plans or over the other without. Why? Any organisation that has contingency plans in place would have identified all the risks or things that could possibly go wrong and taken measures to reduce such probability or eliminate them if possible. And if any untoward were to happen, the contingency plans would be activated. Those on site could access the contingency plans stored in their phone and immediately take the crucial first steps to contain the disaster and notify key personnel swiftly. Any delay could turn a minor incident into a major catastrophe. Safety management includes prevention and response. ‒ July 10, 2025 YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image : Bernama
