A catamaran with 28 tourists from China and three crewmembers capsized after leaving Tanjung Aru jetty enroute to Mengalum island. Reports indicated the vessel was battered by strong winds and huge waves.
The Malaysian Association of Travel Agent (MATTA) has called for the relevant government agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the tourist vessel tragedy in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on January 28... minus the rhetoric.
A catamaran with 28 tourists from China and three crewmembers capsized after leaving Tanjung Aru jetty enroute to Mengalum island. Reports indicated the vessel was battered by strong winds and huge waves.
Two crew members and 23 tourists were rescued, while three lost their lives. Five tourists and a crew member are still missing. At press time, the search for the missing six is ongoing.
MATTA president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat expressed his sadness at the tragedy, and regretted the unnecessary and untimely comments made by various quarters that, he said, aggravated the situation.
"The proper step to take is for the main government agency in charge to conduct a thorough investigation. The Marine Department of Malaysia, in collaboration with Sabah Ports and Harbour Department, has set up a special taskforce to investigate the tragedy involving the capsized catamaran off Pulau Mengalum."
He said the focus should be on the search and rescue of the remaining victims and prevention of similar incidents.
"Until details of the investigation are made known all possible reasons remain speculative and hurt the victims and their families even more."
Hamzah is calling on safety experts to be proactive and alert relevant agencies to act before disaster strikes. He dismissed claims by certain bodies, such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), that accidents and fatalities are frequent in the tourism and hospitality industry.
"If it was, indeed, a fact, NIOSH should have worked closely with the Tourism and Culture Ministry, and roped in industry players to address the matter."
Hamzah called on all involved in the travel industry to learn how to manage disasters better.
"Apart from preventive and tracking measures, quick responses by search and rescue teams, and mobilising human resources, there should also be a central unit to coordinate and disseminate news on a regular basis by a professional spokesman, trained in communication and public relations."
He suggests the setting up of a central coordinating unit when a disaster occurs to give the correct information to the media without it having to seek comments from various sources, which may be inaccurate.