Passenger vessel safety to be improved
Ministry to step in to help state govts prevent repeat of fatal Sabah boat tragedy
MALACCA: The Cabinet has directed the Transport Ministry to help state governments improve safety of marine passenger and tourist vessels to prevent a repeat of the Sabah catamaran tragedy, says Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
Liow said his ministry would work closely with the relevant agencies, including the Marine Department, to tighten regulations on boats and jetties, especially at tourist spots in Sabah, following the tragedy where a catamaran carrying 28 China tourists and three crew members on a trip to Pulau Mengalum island sank on Jan 28.
The owner and skipper of the catamaran have been charged in court with causing death by negligence.
“The Cabinet during its meeting, had expressed its sadness over the tragedy and held a lengthy discussion on measures to stop such incidents from happening again.
“Currently, enforcement on small tourist vessels are supervised by state governments and not by my ministry.
“The ministry will help in enforcing the law concerning safety of such boats as well as jetties at tourist spots,” Liow said after launching the Wangkang procession organised by the Cheng Wah Keong Temple in Kandang here yesterday.
Liow said efforts must be made to improve the safety of passengers of tourist boats, as the catamaran tragedy had marred the image of the country and the tourism industry.
Earlier, Liow said around 3,000 people would join the Wangkang procession on its 77km-long route in Malacca beginning today.
The temple is witnessing the majestic barge sailing again after 84 years following its last procession held in 1933.