KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Scuba Diving Association (MSDA) has called for firm action, including ordering dive operators to cease operations if serious breaches of safety protocols, licensing rules or negligence are established, following two diving-related fatalities in Pulau Tioman within a month.
MSDA president Aminor Azmi Abdul Latip said the latest death, involving a 55-year-old Afghan man, Mohammed Seyar Musazay, during an introductory scuba-diving activity near Kampung Salang, Pulau Tioman, on Sept 30, followed the death of another foreign tourist after a diving activity at the same destination on Sept 12.
"If serious breaches in safety protocols, licensing rules, or negligence are found, we demand severe action, including ordering the operator to cease operations.
"Operators who show this kind of negligence cannot be allowed to remain in our industry, and now is the time for real, decisive action.
"The safety and well-being of divers and all personnel involved in recreational diving must always remain the highest priority. Commercial considerations must never compromise established safety requirements or responsible diving practices," he said in a statement on Sunday (Oct 4).
He said the two fatalities are a matter of serious concern and demand urgent attention to safety practices.
MSDA urged the police, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac), the Tioman Development Authority (TDA), and other relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive, impartial, and thorough investigation into the latest incident.
The association said the investigation should examine the operating licences of the dive centre, professional qualifications and credentials of the instructor involved, including whether annual renewals and Emergency First Response (EFR) certifications are current.
It also called for careful assessment of supervision ratios, staffing levels, equipment condition and maintenance, operating procedures, emergency-response procedures, and whether actions taken at the scene complied with safety protocols.
Aminor Azmi said Malaysia has built a strong reputation as a premier diving and marine tourism destination, and maintaining it requires regulators, operators, diving professionals, training and certification agencies, tourism stakeholders and the wider diving community to uphold high standards of safety, professionalism and responsible operations.
"Further incidents risk damaging public confidence in Malaysia’s safety standards.
"We urge all dive operators, diving professionals, and relevant certification and training bodies to proactively review and, where necessary, strengthen their safety protocols and emergency preparedness without delay.
"Any systemic weaknesses identified through the authorities’ investigations or industry reviews should be addressed promptly and appropriately," he said.
He said MSDA remained committed to working with relevant authorities and industry stakeholders to promote safe, responsible and sustainable diving practices in Malaysia while maintaining public confidence in the country as a trusted diving destination. — Bernama
