KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) will introduce a Driver Monitoring System and enforce mandatory urine drug tests for drivers of tourism transport vehicles, following the tragic boat capsize in Pulau Perhentian that claimed three lives and injured nine others.
Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the measure aims to enhance passenger safety standards and reduce human-error related accidents across Malaysia’s tourism transport sector.
“Once jurisdiction over tourism-related transport is transferred from the Ministry of Transport back to MoTAC, we will immediately begin a comprehensive review of the existing framework,” he said in a Facebook post.
Tiong said the Driver Monitoring System will be complemented by strict requirements for routine vehicle maintenance and inspections, particularly for tour buses, stressing that only drivers in good physical and mental health should be entrusted with passenger safety.
“This is to ensure that all travelers are protected while using tourism-related transport. Safety must come first,” he said.
The announcement follows public outrage over the recent tragedy in Pulau Perhentian, where a boat ferrying tourists capsized, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to nine others.
Preliminary investigations found that the boat operator’s licence had expired since April, and the boatman had tested positive for drugs. Shockingly, the individual had five previous drug-related offences.
“How could a travel agency allow someone with such a background to operate a passenger vessel? This is sheer negligence,” Tiong said, expressing anger and disappointment over the incident.
He has since instructed MoTAC to carry out a thorough investigation, while issuing a stern warning to all tourism operators that profit should never come at the expense of safety.
The minister further highlighted that such incidents risk damaging Malaysia’s tourism reputation, with foreign governments potentially issuing travel advisories if safety concerns persist.
“We have had too many incidents that affect our image internationally. This cannot be allowed to continue,” he added.
Tiong said foreign ministers and tourism industry representatives from other countries have raised concerns during his official visits abroad, urging Malaysia to strengthen safety measures in its tourism sector.
In response, the ministry is also calling for greater oversight by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), particularly for vessels involved in tourism activities.
Tiong urged for cooperation from all tourism stakeholders, asking them to act responsibly and restore global confidence in Malaysia as a safe travel destination.