KUALA LUMPUR: Lack of responsibility and unscrupulous practices by tour operators could lead to more mishaps, like the bus crash that killed two Chinese nationals on Saturday.
Malaysian Tourist Guides Council president Jimmy Leong said he could only describe the incident that occurred at Genting Highlands as an accident waiting to happen.
He attributed this to the poor level of responsibility on safety aspects by irresponsible tour operators.
"In this incident, the tour operator is aware that all logistics in running the tour programme should involve only licensed drivers and legal vehicles.
"From a legal standpoint, this tour operator has been appointed to handle the group, and therefore any facilities accorded by them must be checked and verified," he said when contacted today (June 30).
He said fingers should not be pointed at law enforcement, but rather at a tour operators' professionalism in engaging logistics to facilitate tours.
"In the first place, did the tour operator ensure all matters, including the bus driver and vehicle, are in order?
"The bus company should also be held responsible for engaging a driver who did not have a valid driver's licence."
Leong said the recent incident did not spell good for the tourism industry, especially when elements of safety and security for visitors were in question.
"We call on the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and the Transport Ministry to work together in conducting an in-depth investigation into this accident so that recommendations can be made to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
"I feel it would also be an effective move to return the licensing of all tourist-related vehicles to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry with vehicle technical worthiness to the RTD (Road Transport Department).
"Let's not wait for another incident to happen before we take action," he said.