Kota Kinabalu: Warisan Vice President Datuk Junz Wong said City Hall (DBKK) must clarify its role regarding tourist boat operations at the DBKK jetty, following a recent incident off Pulau Mengalum in which a 21-year-old boatman was reported missing after a collision between vessels.
He said the incident renewed serious public concerns regarding safety compliance, operational monitoring and enforcement standards among tourist boat operators ferrying visitors to Sabah’s islands.
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He said DBKK must not remain silent or distance itself from accountability, given its position as the authority managing and permitting jetty operations.
“The public deserves to know what exactly DBKK is doing to ensure tourist safety, whether proper safety checks are being enforced, and whether operators are genuinely complying with safety regulations,” he said in a statement.
He said viral videos allegedly showing boatmen operating without life jackets have further damaged public confidence and risked creating negative international perceptions of Sabah’s tourism safety standards.
“This is not a minor issue. Sabah’s tourism industry is a key economic pillar, and international tourists must feel confident that safety standards are strictly enforced,” he said, adding that weak enforcement or poor monitoring could harm Sabah’s reputation as a safe tourism destination.
Junz said the 2017 Pulau Mengalum boat tragedy should have served as a critical lesson for all relevant authorities and operators.
Junz urged DBKK to publicly clarify whether all tourist boat operators are required to undergo mandatory safety compliance procedures before being allowed to operate at the jetty.
He also asked whether regular inspections are carried out on key safety and operational requirements, including licences, permits, insurance coverage, vessel conditions, passenger capacity limits, and crew competency certifications.
In addition, he questioned whether DBKK conducts periodic safety audits as well as unannounced inspections to ensure strict compliance with maritime safety standard operating procedures.
He further sought confirmation on whether the use of life jackets is strictly enforced at all times for both passengers and crew members during operations.
Junz also called for clarification on whether passenger manifests are compulsory for every trip, and whether pre-departure safety briefings are consistently provided before vessels depart.
He asked what enforcement actions have been taken against operators found to have violated safety regulations or operated negligently.
Finally, he requested clarification on what public liability protection systems are in place to ensure accountability and safeguard passengers in the event of accidents involving licensed operators at the jetty.
