Kissing incident: Calls to abide by code of ethics
Published on: Tuesday, May 09, 2023
By:
Jonathan Nicholas, Sherell Jeffrey
Liew and Jauteh
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew wants all tourism operators in the State to play a role in providing quality services and refrain from inappropriate actions which could tarnish or affect the tourism industry.
She said this in response to reports on the arrest of a local dive master who allegedly molested a female tourist from China during a diving excursion at a resort island in Semporna.
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“Incidents like this greatly affect the tourism image in Semporna and Sabah, especially when the tourism industry is recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Ministry deeply regrets this incident and calls on all tourism operators to play their role in providing quality and responsible services,” she said in a statement, Monday.
Liew said the Ministry was shocked to learn about the incident that occurred on May 5 at 1pm.
However, she said, the incident took place outside the areas of Pulau Sipadan Island Park and Tun Sakaran Marine Park under the management of Sabah Parks.
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Our report on May 8, 2023.
The 25-year-old victim, who made a report at the Semporna District Police Headquarters on May 6, claimed that the suspect kissed her on the cheek during the diving activity.
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A video of the alleged incident, a photo of the woman’s police report and alleged text messages of the suspect to the victim are being shared on social media.
The suspect was arrested by the police on May 7 and remanded for four days.
Meanwhile, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun urged tourism operators to ensure that their employees maintain good behaviour and do not engage in any inappropriate activities.
He said they must always remind and advise their staff to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that have been set.
He said the number of tourists coming to the State is increasing because they (tourists) believe that Sabah is a safe place.
“So, always monitor your workers and take an approach of advising and warning to ensure that they maintain good behaviour and avoid any inappropriate actions that offend tourists,” he told a media conference after attending a promotion and handing-over of duties ceremony at the Sabah police headquarters, here, Monday.
Semporna Acting Police Chief Arif Abdul Razak, in a statement on Monday, said the dive master was arrested at a house in a water village in Semporna about 12.05am.
“A police report was received on May 6 by the Chinese national claiming she had been kissed by the dive master during the diving activity,” said Arif, adding the woman lodged the report moments before her flight to Kuala Lumpur and onward to China.
The case is being investigated under Section 354 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to outrage the modesty of the woman.
Meanwhile, dive centre operators in the State are urged to conduct training courses on code of ethics and professional boundaries between staff and their clients.
Sabah Dive Squad Club President Sim Fui said operators must ensure all diving instructors and masters have valid diving certifications.
The club also warned foreign diving enthusiasts to be careful when choosing a diving centre and to be firm when something goes wrong.
“We always support our local dive centres and Malaysia tourism sports. Most divers are professional, but this incident involved a dive centre.
“Although we understand that diving instructors and masters must be hospitable to their clients, they must still be professional.
“Therefore, dive centres should remind all dive instructors and masters of the code of ethics to protect the reputation of the diving industry and tourism sector,” he said, adding that such precautions would also prevent legal suits against dive operators.
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