KOTA KINABALU: The Vice President of the Warisan Party and the Assemblyman for N22 Tanjung Aru, Datuk Junz Wong urged the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) to openly clarify their actual roles, duties, and responsibilities in regulating and monitoring tourist boat operations at the DBKK jetty.
The call was made following a recent incident of a boat collision near Mengalum Island that resulted in a 21-year-old boat operator being reported missing.
According to him, the incident once again highlighted public concerns regarding the level of safety compliance, operational monitoring, and enforcement involving boat operators transporting tourists to the islands in Sabah.
He stated that DBKK cannot remain silent or attempt to distance itself from responsibility, considering that the authority is the agency managing and approving operations at the jetty.
He said the public has the right to know the actual measures taken to ensure tourist safety, including whether safety inspections are conducted seriously and whether operators truly comply with the established safety regulations.
Junz, who is also the Assemblyman for Tanjung Aru, stated that the circulation of a viral video allegedly showing a boat operator not wearing a life jacket has undermined public confidence and created a negative perception of Sabah's tourism safety standards on the international stage.
He noted that the issue of tourist safety is not a trivial matter, given that the tourism industry is one of the main pillars of Sabah's economy.
He said international tourists need to be assured that safety standards in Sabah are enforced rigorously and professionally.
He added that any perception of weak enforcement, lax monitoring, or negligence could damage Sabah's reputation as a safe and trusted international tourist destination.
He also reminded that the recent incident recalls the Mengalum Island boat tragedy in 2017, which claimed the lives of foreign tourists and garnered international attention.
He stated that the tragedy should serve as a significant lesson for all relevant authorities and tourism operators.
He said that tourist safety cannot be regarded as merely a routine administrative matter, as it involves human lives, international confidence, and the global image of Sabah's tourism.
In this regard, Junz urged DBKK to provide an open explanation regarding several important matters, including whether all tourist boat operators are required to comply with strict safety procedures before being allowed to operate at the DBKK jetty.
He also requested clarification on whether regular inspections and enforcement are conducted regarding operational licenses, permits, insurance coverage, boat conditions, passenger capacity limits, and the competency certificates of boat operators.
Additionally, he questioned whether regular safety audits and surprise inspections are carried out to ensure compliance with maritime safety SOPs.
He stated that the authorities also need to clarify whether the wearing of life jackets is mandatory for all boat operators, crew, and passengers throughout the operation.
Junz also demanded clarification on whether passenger manifests and safety briefings before trips are mandatory for every journey.
He also requested DBKK to explain the enforcement actions taken against operators or boat operators who violate safety regulations or operate negligently.
At the same time, he also questioned whether DBKK plans to review and strengthen the SOPs, monitoring systems, and safety enforcement mechanisms following the recent incident.
He said that in the event of an accident involving tourists, DBKK also needs to clarify the type of public liability protection required for boat operators to protect passengers and ensure accountability of the operators.
He emphasized that transparency and accountability are crucial to restoring public confidence and maintaining the image of Sabah's tourism industry.
He stated that the people do not want to see excuses or a culture of finger-pointing; instead, they want assurance that tourist safety is genuinely taken seriously and enforced professionally.
Junz stressed that DBKK needs to openly clarify their roles, enforcement responsibilities, and the concrete steps being taken to prevent a similar tragedy from recurring.
