KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for tourists, says Datuk Seri Christina Liew.
The state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said that several recent safety related incidents underscored the need for stronger safety protocols, strict compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and enhanced training for guides and boat operators.
She was referring to safety incidents such as scuba diving, snorkelling, and stand-up paddleboarding in marine and island areas.
Liew said that the Sabah government has taken decisive action.
"For instance, we have strengthened collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) to boost patrols and monitoring," said Liew.
Multilingual safety signage has also been installed at the arrival hall of the Tawau and Sandakan airports, she added.
Liew gave these assurances in her welcoming speech at the Tourism Coordination Meeting on Tourism with Federal and state agencies chaired by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing here Tuesday (Aug 12).
She said Sabah’s tourism progress was very much aligned with that of the Federal Government.
"For us, ensuring a safe tourism environment is not just about protecting lives and prioritising well-being, but it is also about safeguarding Malaysia’s reputation as a world-class travel destination.
"In this age of social media, even news of an isolated safety incident can spread rapidly and adversely impact our tourism image. That is why we must always remain vigilant," Liew added.
