FMT:
Tourist safety a priority, accident report rule stays, says Tiong
Tourism minister Tiong King Sing says the ministry will not compromise, under any form of pressure or complaint, over the requirement from July 1 to file a report within 24 hours of an accident occurring
Tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing said his ministry was dismayed by the “overly defensive reaction” of the Malaysian Association of Travel and Tour Agents. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: The tourism ministry will not compromise under any form of pressure over the requirement for tour companies to submit a report within 24 hours of any accident, minister Tiong King Sing said.
He said the rule, although regarded as extreme, was vital to ensure the safety of tourists, and his ministry is firmly committed to upholding the principle of safety-first, in order to restore confidence in Malaysia’s tourism.
“Ensuring the safety of tourists is a matter of life and death and should be treated as a top priority. Therefore, the ministry will not compromise under any form of pressure or complaint,” he said in a statement in response to criticisms by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents.
The association said the rule, effective from July 1, was imposed without consultation and was unacceptable because it allows for licenses to be suspended for failure to comply.
Tiong said many tour-related accidents in the past had raised serious public concern, even leading to foreign governments issuing travel advisories against certain destinations in Malaysia.
He said submission of a report within 24 hours was not an admission of guilt, but would allow tour companies to provide accurate information to help the authorities determine the cause of the accident. The information includes details of the driver’s background, the inspection record of the tour bus, and details of the travel group.
The 24-hour ruling came about following several fatal road crashes involving tour buses, including one on June 9 in which 15 students of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan were killed.
Tiong said the ministry of tourism, arts and culture was dismayed by the “overly defensive reaction” of the Malaysian Association of Travel and Tour Agents. He said that during his official visits overseas, foreign ministers frequently express concern over Malaysia’s safety standards.
He said as the government approves tour operating licences allowing companies the opportunity to do business, it is incumbent on the private sector to ensure that it fulfils its obligations to safety and regulatory compliances.
“The ministry will continue enforcing this measure strictly. I hope Matta fully understands that ensuring the safety of tourists is their most basic responsibility. It must never be sacrificed for the sake of convenience or profit,” he said.
He said the rule, although regarded as extreme, was vital to ensure the safety of tourists, and his ministry is firmly committed to upholding the principle of safety-first, in order to restore confidence in Malaysia’s tourism.
“Ensuring the safety of tourists is a matter of life and death and should be treated as a top priority. Therefore, the ministry will not compromise under any form of pressure or complaint,” he said in a statement in response to criticisms by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents.
The association said the rule, effective from July 1, was imposed without consultation and was unacceptable because it allows for licenses to be suspended for failure to comply.
Tiong said many tour-related accidents in the past had raised serious public concern, even leading to foreign governments issuing travel advisories against certain destinations in Malaysia.
He said submission of a report within 24 hours was not an admission of guilt, but would allow tour companies to provide accurate information to help the authorities determine the cause of the accident. The information includes details of the driver’s background, the inspection record of the tour bus, and details of the travel group.
The 24-hour ruling came about following several fatal road crashes involving tour buses, including one on June 9 in which 15 students of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan were killed.
Tiong said the ministry of tourism, arts and culture was dismayed by the “overly defensive reaction” of the Malaysian Association of Travel and Tour Agents. He said that during his official visits overseas, foreign ministers frequently express concern over Malaysia’s safety standards.
He said as the government approves tour operating licences allowing companies the opportunity to do business, it is incumbent on the private sector to ensure that it fulfils its obligations to safety and regulatory compliances.
“The ministry will continue enforcing this measure strictly. I hope Matta fully understands that ensuring the safety of tourists is their most basic responsibility. It must never be sacrificed for the sake of convenience or profit,” he said.
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kt comments:
I reckon Tiong has been a good minister.
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