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Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
Tourist safety in Sabah needs urgent fix, says Tiong King Sing after uncovering serious enforcement lapses
SIBU, Aug 17 — Immediate reforms are needed to safeguard tourist safety in Sabah, said Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. He advised Sabah authorities to step up the necessary actions to enhance the state's tourism image. 'Following a two-day joint sea and land enforcement operation, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture held a meeting with the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and relevant enforcement agencies to address tourism safety issues, illegal operations and enforcement in Sabah. 'In that meeting, I raised several serious weaknesses regarding tourism safety in Sabah, where the safety of tourists is seen as insufficiently protected,' he said in a statement. According to him, statistics showed between 2023 and July 2025, Sabah recorded several tourism-related accidents that caused multiple deaths and injuries. 'In 2023 alone, there were 14 incidents resulting in six deaths and nine injuries; in 2024, 11 incidents with nine deaths and 28 injuries; while in 2025, up to July, there were 23 incidents with two deaths and two injuries. 'These frequent accidents highlight weak safety management and regulatory oversight, which undermine travellers' confidence and damage Sabah's international tourism reputation,' he said. Tiong said during the two-day operation, he personally led officers from the Tourism Licensing and Enforcement Division and Immigration Department, police and other agencies on inspections around Tawau. He said the operation revealed widespread illegal practices, including overloaded tour buses without tour guides; foreigners renting local licences and operating behind the scenes; foreign divers working illegally; non-tourism vehicles carrying passengers; and boats operating with approval. Other issues included alleged corruption in the Immigration Department, lax monitoring of resorts and homestays without insurance protection and unauthorised fee collection on certain islands. — The Borneo Post
The Star
07-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Sarawak society promotes stamp collecting in schools
Goh: We want to encourage children to collect stamps so as to reduce their over indulgence in handphone. SIBU: The Sarawak Philatelic & Numismatic Society plans to introduce stamp and coin collecting to schools across the state to inspire educational hobbies among children and reduce their reliance on mobile phones. Society chairman John Goh highlighted health concerns related to children's increasing screen time. "I recently saw a video by an eye specialist warning that children who stare at phones for more than four hours a day risk developing serious eye problems by the age of seven or eight," he said on Wednesday (May 7). "Many parents are working, and children are often left with grandparents. Phones are given to keep them quiet. But we need healthier alternatives," he added. Goh, who owns a large collection of old stamps, coins, currency, and phone cards, said their initiative combines education, family bonding, and meaningful pastimes for the younger generation. "We plan to visit schools and organise exhibitions, provided we get the necessary permissions from the education department and school authorities," he said. He explained that the aim is to spark students' interest in history, culture, and science through philately and numismatics, which are accessible and intellectually enriching hobbies. Goh added that the society hopes Pos Malaysia will support their plan. There are currently two active societies in Kuching—one for stamps and another for currency. While most members are older, their children and grandchildren sometimes join in. "That's how this passion is passed down," he said. "In Kuching, Pos Malaysia has already shown support. They often provide free gifts for young participants, which is a great way to draw their interest," he added. He encouraged children to start collecting stamps first as they are more affordable. Goh said that while currency collecting can be too costly for many school students, stamp collecting is much more accessible. 'I started as a stamp collector myself before moving on to coins,' he added. According to Goh, stamp and coin collecting can become family activities, similar to the phone card collecting craze of years past. "Japanese phone cards featured beautiful series of trains, birds, and fish. Families collected them together and bonded over a shared hobby," he said. He shared that several teachers have joined their group and are reaching out to schools and education departments to see if they can organise exhibitions in primary and secondary schools. "We want to bring this idea to more families, schools, and students. Together, we can inspire the next generation of collectors—and perhaps even future scientists, historians, and educators," he concluded. Meanwhile, the society will organise an exhibition sale from June 6 to 8 at Delta Mall.
