Passenger vessel safety to be improved

Easy does it: (From right) Liow pulling the ‘Wangkang’ with temple chairman Hau Han Lee, state Transport, Project Rehabilitation and International Trade Committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong and Senator Datuk Koh Chin Han after launching the procession organised by the Cheng Wah Keong Temple in Kandang, Malacca.

MALACCA: The Cabinet has directed the Transport Ministry to help state governments improve safety of marine passenger and tourist vessels to prevent a repeat of the Sabah catamaran tragedy, says Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Liow said his ministry would work closely with the relevant agencies, including the Marine Department, to tighten regulations on boats and jetties, especially at tourist spots in Sabah, following the tragedy where a catamaran carrying 28 China tourists and three crew members on a trip to Pulau Mengalum island sank on Jan 28.