KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry plans to make urine screening tests mandatory for tour bus drivers before they begin their duties.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, said this step was necessary to prevent bus drivers from using drugs while on duty.
"We have found that several accidents involving tourists have occurred. The police have informed us that some bus drivers take drugs, allegedly because their employers force them to work for 12 hours.
"Travel agencies are also urged to ensure the safety of tourists, including providing a second driver for long-distance trips."
He said this after a stakeholder engagement session with tourism industry players (central region) here today.
He said his ministry would discuss with the Finance Ministry to increase the number of enforcement officers in the ministry.
"We are aware of the issue of many unlicensed travel agencies. To tackle this problem, we need additional enforcement officers.
"This includes addressing the issue of travel agencies and tour guides who lease their licences to outsiders, as has been reported in Sabah," he said.
On Dec 24, seven people were killed and 33 others injured in a collision involving three vehicles at Km204 of the North-South Expressway (Plus) northbound, near the Ayer Keroh rest and service area.