MERANG: Concerned with recent boat tragedies involving China’s tourists in South East Asia, efforts are being initiated for better safety in Malaysian waters.
Terengganu Chinese Assembly Hall president Tan Beng San said the China government had expressed concern as a large number of their nationals were flocking to Terengganu’s idyllic islands in the South China Sea.
Tan said China’s seriousness on the matter came with the despatch of its deputy consular chief at the China embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Wu Shenghao to Terengganu, recently.
“Wu had a first-hand look at the safety aspects for tourists travelling by boats and ferries to islands like Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Lang Tengah, Pulau Kapas and Pulau Bidong.
“He informed us that he was acting on strict instructions of China ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian, to ensure there were adequate safety measures at Terengganu’s resorts,” said Tan, on the visit with representatives from his association, the marine department, police and Tourism Malaysia.
Present at the meeting were Tourism Malaysia eastern region director Zaliha Zainuddin and Pulau Redang police chief Sub-Inspector Abdul Aziz.
Wu’s visit followed the ferry tragedies in Phuket, Thailand last week and Sabah last year with the loss of numerous lives.
Tan said Wu had conveyed to him that the China government attached great importance on the safety and interests of their nationals travelling abroad.
“The China embassy wants tourist hotspots in Malaysia, including Terengganu, to innovate ways and means of safety supervision, to build a security risk management and classification of risk prevention for tourists.
“These are to attract more Chinese and other tourists to visit our resorts, thus, enhancing Malaysia’s economy,” said Tan.
Among other measures suggested by Wu was for hotels, resorts and boat operators to comply with safety regulations, including ensuring tourists wore safety jackets while at sea.
“Wu asked that strict enforcement and action against illegal and errant operators, some of whom overloaded their vessels with passengers.
“Additionally, he requested the presence of lifeguards at beaches and advisory notices in Mandarin on safety measures at strategic spots like swimming areas, vessels, hotels, jetties and airports."
Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Mohammadin Ketapi revealed that Malaysia recorded a total of 1.008 million tourists from China, for the first four months this year.
India, Mohammadin said, accounted for 21.2 million tourists for the same period this year.
He added that tourism accounted for RM182.4 billion, or 14.8 per cent, of the country’s gross domestic product in 2016, which was a 9.4 per cent increase from 2015.
For last year, a total of 25.9 million foreign tourists visited Malaysia, accounting for RM82.2 billion.