KUALA LUMPUR: Water safety measures must be strengthened following reports that more than 300 youngsters have died from drowning since 2023, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said the figures were a painful reminder that drowning remained a serious and recurring public safety issue.
He said such incidents had repeatedly claimed the lives of children, youths and adults over the years, leaving families devastated and communities in mourning.
"Many of these tragedies are preventable. They should not be accepted as inevitable accidents. Every life lost is one too many," he said when contacted on Friday (Oct 16).
Lee urged the government to strengthen water safety measures at popular recreational areas, including rivers, waterfalls, beaches and lakes.
"Clearer warning signs, improved hazard monitoring and early warning systems, as well as more trained lifeguards and rescue personnel are much needed.
"Regular safety inspections should also be conducted at high-risk locations, while areas prone to sudden water surges should be closely monitored and temporarily closed whenever conditions become unsafe," he added.
Lee said public education on water safety must also be intensified, stressing that awareness campaigns should be conducted continuously rather than only in the aftermath of tragedies.
He reminded parents and guardians that children must be closely supervised near water and should never be left unattended, even for a few moments.
"Schools and communities should also be encouraged to promote basic water safety knowledge, swimming skills and simple rescue techniques," he said.
Lee urged members of the public to heed warning signs, follow instructions from the authorities and avoid entering rivers or waterfalls during bad weather or after heavy rain, even when conditions initially appeared safe.
He cautioned that sudden water surges, strong currents, slippery riverbanks and changing weather conditions could turn a family outing into a tragedy within minutes.
"Drowning is a silent killer. It happens quickly, often without cries for help, and usually when least expected. Prevention, vigilance and preparedness remain our strongest defences," he said.
Lee called on the public and authorities to take decisive action to prevent further loss of life, saying every preventable drowning was a life saved and a family spared immeasurable grief.
