Ministry takes measures to ensure safety of tourists in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment takes seriously the safety of tourists in Sabah. Following a recent accident involving a tourist from China who was injured while doing paragliding in Kampung Lohan, Ranau, the ministry held a special meeting with the relevant authorities to discuss the actions and measures to ensure safety and prevent accidents involving high risk activities especially paragliding.

The meeting on May 8 was chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment. It was attended by the Sabah State Attorney General’s Chambers, Ministry of Local Government and Housing,

Ministry of Sabah Youth and Sports, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Police, Sabah Tourism Board, Kota Kinabalu City Hall, Ranau District Office and Sabah Paragliding Association (PLUS).

The meeting proposed the following actions:

a) Companies involved in accidents involving tourists should temporarily suspend paragliding activities for 14 days to allow the authorities to conduct an investigation.

b) PLUS needs to hold discussions with the Malaysian Sport Aviation Federation to refine paragliding activity guidelines in Sabah taking into account factors such as the competence of the guide, equipment fittings, launching and landing locations, wind conditions and weather, vehicle licenses to carry tourists from one location to another, security facilities and others.

c) Local authorities should monitor activities involving tourists and ensure they are carried out in accordance with the regulations in force.

d) Standard operating procedure (SOP) for paragliding must be approved by the authorities.

The meeting also noted that the Sonsoluyon Paragliding Accuracy Championship will be held on May 25 and 26. The District Council and District Office were asked to consider whether this event should be allowed.