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Malay Mail
17 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Tiong: Tourism Ministry expediting rollout of monitoring system to ensure tourism transport drivers suited for operations
BINTULU, July 1— The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) is expediting the rollout of a Driver Monitoring System to ensure all tourism transport drivers are physically and mentally fit to operate. Its minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing yesterday said the move comes in the wake of the recent Pulau Perhentian boat tragedy that claimed three lives and injured nine others. 'The Driver Monitoring System will include mandatory drug screenings (urine tests) for all tourism transport operators, including boat and bus drivers. 'There are also plans to reassign regulatory control over tour transport vehicles currently under the Transport Ministry back to Motac, allowing for more integrated oversight of tourist safety. 'We aim to revamp the current regulatory framework to drastically reduce accidents involving tourism transport, especially tour buses,' he said. He added that other proposed safety measures include mandatory maintenance checks and periodic inspections of tour vehicles, as well as a stronger maritime presence by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to monitor seafaring vessels. Tiong said during his international engagements, foreign ministers and tourism stakeholders would consistently raise concerns over Malaysia's tourism safety record. 'They want assurance that Malaysia is serious about the safety of travelers. We must meet those expectations. I urge all industry players to take this moment as a wake-up call, and fully cooperate with the government's safety reforms.' He also expressed his deep anger and disappointment over the Pulau Perhentian boat incident, and said initial investigations had uncovered a series of glaring violations by both the travel agency and boat operator involved. 'This includes operating with an expired licence since April, failing to ensure passengers wore life jackets, and most concerning of all, the boat operator tested positive for drugs following a urine test,' he said, adding that the operator also had five prior drug-related offences. Tiong also criticised the travel agency's shocking decision to employ such an individual, calling it a blatant disregard for human life. He has since ordered the ministry to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident and all parties involved, promising accountability and stricter enforcement. 'In your pursuit of profit, do not ever compromise on safety. There have been many incidents in Malaysia that have affected the tourism sector and damaged our country's reputation. 'Repeated safety lapses could lead to serious consequences, including travel advisories from foreign governments, which would deal a long-term blow to Malaysia's tourism industry,' he cautioned. — The Borneo Post
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Travel agency, boat operator in Perhentian boat tragedy that killed 3 broke several laws: Minister
Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Tiong King Sing said preliminary findings showed the travel agency and boat operator had operated without a valid licence and failed to ensure the passengers wore life jackets. PHOTO: BERNAMA PETALING JAYA - The boat operator of the vessel that capsized in Pulau Perhentian had an expired licence while the skipper tested positive for drugs, says Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Tiong King Sing. Two girls, aged three and 10, were among three people killed when a boat capsized off Pulau Perhentian on the night of June 28. The other victim was a 40-year-old man who was the father of the three-year-old. Besut police chief Supt Azamuddin Ahmad @ Abu said 12 others in the boat, including a six-year-old in critical condition, were rushed to Besut Hospital for treatment. The boat, carrying 15 passengers, capsized during a storm, heavy rain and rough seas. Datuk Seri Tiong said preliminary findings showed that both the travel agency and the boat operator had violated several laws and regulations. 'These include operating with an expired licence since April, failing to ensure that passengers wore life jackets – and most alarmingly – the boatman tested positive for drugs,' he said in a statement on June 29. 'I am deeply angered and disappointed by the tragic incident off Pulau Perhentian, which resulted in three deaths and nine injuries. I have immediately instructed the ministry to conduct a thorough investigation,' he said. He said the boatman also had a record of drug-related offences. 'Hiring such a person to ferry passengers is gross negligence… and a complete disregard for human lives,' he said. The skipper was also arrested. Mr Tiong warned all tourism operators not to compromise the safety of tourists. 'Malaysia has already experienced numerous incidents that have cast a shadow over our tourism sector, damaging the country's reputation and in some cases, prompting foreign governments to issue travel warnings against certain destinations here. If left unchecked, this will severely affect our tourism industry,' he said. Mr Tiong said the ministry is also focusing on tour bus safety management, while also emphasising the need for the Maritime Enforcement Agency to closely monitor all vessels providing maritime activities. 'We are actively working towards transferring the regulatory authority over tourism-related transport vehicles from the Transport Ministry back to our tourism ministry. Once this is reinstated, we will undertake a comprehensive review of the regulatory framework to significantly reduce the occurrence of tour bus accidents,' he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
