Blacklist those involved in illegal tourism activities
Published on: Friday, June 28, 2024
Pulau Mumutik
Kota Kinabalu: Following the incident at the Mengalum snorkeling point last month, a second drowning of a Chinese tourist at Mamutik Island in three months raises serious concerns about the strict observance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by both tourists and their guides. Netizens and the public have expressed growing worries about the apparent loopholes in tourist safety measures.
ADVERTISEMENT
Some questioned the professionalism of the so-called tour guides and dive instructors and that tourists seeking such services should be warned whether they were involved in previous incidents.
A 25-year-old Chinese tourist drowned while diving around Pulau Mamutik at 2.30pm last Saturday. The victim was among a group of seven, including a dive instructor.
The victim
It was reported that everyone had returned to the beach except the victim. Two staff eventually found the victim and administered CPR but he was pronounced dead at 4.10pm after being rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“How can the dive instructor resurface with others and reach the beach while there are still others underwater?” asked Cornelius Juanis and John Yap.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Every participant should be assigned a buddy during any group dive,” Abuzar Ghifari said.
“When they (tourists) noticed their buddy had gone missing, they should immediately inform the instructor and not wait when it’s time to pack up and go home,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sonz Kruzaderz said many factors come into play when scuba diving, especially concerning oxygen tanks.
“You can’t dive too deep or else the tank will be quickly depleted. The victim on the other hand might have neglected this instruction,” he said.
Simon Munang said just like in mountain hiking, diving groups should be briefed on the risks by organisers.
Ramli Ahmad said the death could only be due to carelessness of the diving instructor and casual attitude of the diver involved.
“Next time don’t treat the sea like your swimming pool at home.” Heed the instructions, Hafez Ibrahim said.
User Agensi Jobsite said he works on an Island and China tourists are the most difficult to deal with. “They will complain about everything,” he said.
Amos said there was a suggestion when previous tragedies happened that those involved, including the firm handling the tour and also the firm providing the express bus if involved in an accident, should be displayed on a blacklist posted on both the Sabah Tourism and Chinese Consulate websites.
“We have seen several tourists return to their countries in body bags but nothing yet done about having a blacklist which would make everyone in the industry worried. A blacklist on the firms involved and advance warning on the incidents that happened under their care is only way there can be accountability.”
“Tourist will then know whose services are safe to engage,” Amos said, adding that the dangers of ignoring safety standards must be stressed.
These include:
- Bad weather conditions such as going ahead with trips even when it is unsafe;
- Not enough safety equipment like life jackets and other essential safety gear;
- Untrained personnel who can handle emergencies; and
- Improper safety procedures like not having safety protocols for boarding, navigating and dealing with emergencies.
Safety must be prioritised for tourists at popular destinations. Lessons should have been learnt from the drowning incident at Mengalum Snorkelling Point on May 11, which also involved a 34-year- old Chinese male tourist under illegal operation.
Many other similar drowning accidents such as earlier this year at Sapi Island, and last year at Mantanani Island highlight the ongoing risks. These incidents emphasize the need for strict measures against illegal tour operators to ensure the safety of tourists.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
.jpg)
