Sabah steps up marine safety in Semporna

SEMPORNA: Sabah is stepping up efforts to improve safety standards among tourism operators in Semporna, where water-related accidents have highlighted risks to tourists and local operators.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Josie Lai said safety must remain a priority as the district continued to attract tourists for recreational and diving activities.

Renowned for its diving sites and marine biodiversity, Semporna attracts divers from around the world with its coral reefs, rich underwater life and sea turtles.

She said the area's popularity came with a responsibility to ensure all activities met high safety standards.

Any safety incident in Sabah's waters could cost lives and damage the state's tourism reputation, she said.

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She said safety was a basic requirement for a sustainable tourism industry.

Lai made the remarks in her welcoming speech at a safety talk for dive centre operators in Semporna, held at a hotel recently. Her speech was delivered by deputy permanent secretary Nekma Abdullah.

Last month, a 66-year-old Chinese visitor died after becoming unwell while snorkelling near Pom Pom Island in Semporna.

Lai said the ministry, together with security and enforcement agencies, was committed to monitoring compliance and improving safety guidelines to protect tourists and industry players.

The programme, organised in collaboration with the Kota Kinabalu Welfare Diving Association, drew about 80 participants.

Semporna senior fire officer Abdullah Harun, who has 22 years of experience, identified bad weather, failure to wear life jackets during water activities and misjudging water depths as risks that could lead to fatalities.

He advised tour operators and guides to check guests' health conditions before allowing them to take part in water activities.

They should also heed warnings from the Malaysian Meteorological Department and discourage swimming during heavy rain or storms.

Kota Kinabalu Welfare Diving Association technical adviser First Warrant Officer Almudi Eskal said dive operators should have emergency oxygen kits to help save lives during water emergencies.

He said diving emergencies required prompt medical attention at the nearest hospital before patients were referred to hyperbaric facilities.

He added that there were only three hyperbaric chambers, located at naval bases in Sepanggar, Semporna and Sandakan.