KUANTAN: Pahang's tourism sector especially in Bentong is not impacted by the Genting Highlands tour bus accident on June 29 which killed two tourists from China.
State Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man described the Federal government's swift action to provide necessary assistance to the bus crash victims and ensuring a thorough investigation has helped to cushion any negative impact.
"I accompanied the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister (Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing) to visit three of the accident victims at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital (Hoshas) on Tuesday, and they are not blaming anyone. The government has given its assurance to help the victims.
"The government is doing its best to help the victims and coordinate the necessary assistance. The bus crash has had minimal effect towards tourist arrival and the government's quick move to assist might have helped ease the tension.
"To date, I have not received any reports from tourism industry players on foreign visitors seeking any postponements or cancellations," she said when contacted today.
Leong said the victims appear to be confident with the government's swift response towards ensuring those injured receive proper medical assistance. He said the authorities have also taken necessary enforcement action against the 'culprits'.
ferrying 21 people - 18 China nationals and three locals - on June 29 had jeopardised tourists' plans to visit the highlands.
He said most of the victims who were treated in hospitals in Temerloh and Bentong have been transfered to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL).
"On Tuesday, three victims were receiving treatment at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital (HOSHAS) in Temerloh and one in Bentong but I was informed that the two patients in HOSHAS have been transfered to HKL yesterday," she said.
Yesterday, the 32-year-old tour bus driver was charged in the Raub magistrate's court with dangerous driving, which resulted in the death of two Chinese tourists, and driving the vehicle without a licence.
On June 30, Tiong had said the operating licence of the tour company had been suspended and the ministry was investigating the tour company.
On June 1, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the bus company violated its licence conditions by allowing an unlicenced driver to operate the bus. He also said that the vehicle's permit had expired on Feb 16.