02/07/2025

WEDNESDAY | JULY 2, 2025

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Making tourism safer for everyone T HE recent incidents – from a near miss during a solo dive off Tioman to the tragic boat capsize off Pulau Perhentian – underscore a critical need for heightened safety in Malaysia’s tourism sector. Unwavering role of operators and guides Tour operators, guides and tourism establishments are not just facilitators; they are guardians of safety. Their role is paramount. COMMENT by Chin Yew Sin

All operators, from resort owners to tour bus drivers, must rigorously follow safety regulations. This means regular inspections of equipment and facilities, proper licensing and unwavering compliance with capacity limits, weather advisories and operational guidelines. This includes ensuring adequate rest periods for drivers and strict adherence to speed limits. Crucially, operators and their staff must resist tourist

These incidents, primarily impacting marine recreation, are symptomatic of a broader issue that extends across land-based resorts, transport and all adventure activities. Last weekend, I

pressure to cut corners. This means emphatically declining demands to speed up schedules, skip mandatory rest breaks or disregard safety requirements like wearing seatbelts or life jackets. Saying no to risky demands is not rude; it is professional and life-saving. Before any activity, thorough safety briefings are essential, and equipment and facilities must be meticulously checked for hazards – from clear pathways and functional fire extinguishers to well maintained, damage-free pool areas. Only certified and experienced staff should lead activities and manage facilities. Tour guides, in particular, should actively foster an “intervention culture” among

“There must be a clear and unwavering message that safety regulations are not mere suggestions but non-negotiable requirements, ensuring consistent standards across all tourism sectors.

returned from a three-day, two-night church retreat at a beautiful resort. While the serene environment promised relaxation, I was shocked by glaring safety omissions. This seemingly ideal setting, capable of housing over 300 guests, lacked visible fire safety equipment and clear exit signs. To add to this, two individuals from our group suffered cuts from broken tiles in the swimming pool, necessitating immediate medical attention. While our nation offers incredible experiences across land, sea and even air, the drive for fun can

While our nation offers incredible experiences across land, sea and even air, the drive for fun can sometimes lead to bypassed safety protocols.– BERNAMAPIC

risks and solo stunts in high-risk scenarios. This proactive guidance can help counterbalance the inherent human tendency to drop caution when seeking adventure, ensuring a safer and truly memorable experience. Shared commitment to safety As we embark on the ambitious “Visit Malaysia Year 2026” campaign, it is paramount that we do not repeat the mistakes committed by some of our neighbouring countries, where high-profile safety and security issues have unfortunately tarnished their reputations as tourist destinations. The global tourism landscape is competitive and negative perceptions, once established, are incredibly difficult to reverse. Tourists also bear responsibility. The desire for a thrilling experience should never override common sense and adherence to expert guidance. Safety protocols are not inconveniences; they are lifelines. Therefore, government safety agencies

Education is the single most powerful tool for building a more educated, inclusive and progressive nation. Last year, a total of 14,179 students scored straight A’s in the SPM examination – the highest number in 11 years and an increase of 11,713 compared to 2023. Knowing that a matriculation place is guaranteed for every student who scores straight A’s in SPM will motivate more students to reach that attainable goal. In this regard, hopefully Malaysia can now stem the outflow of our top talents to other countries. We need professionals across all fields, especially in healthcare, including surgeons, cardiologists, nephrologists and neurologists. Allowing our gifted graduates to choose their fields of study will also enable us to fill many of these critical medical positions with homegrown talent. This transformative action of broadening the availability of matriculation spots for all qualifying students will enrich the nation educationally, culturally and economically. C. Sathasivam Sitheravellu Seremban must enforce existing laws for compliance rigorously. The frameworks and regulations are largely in place. The critical challenge lies in why non-compliance remains a common occurrence. This calls for stronger enforcement measures, including more frequent and unannounced inspections, heavier penalties that genuinely deter violations and increased prosecution of offenders. There must be a clear and unwavering message that safety regulations are not mere suggestions but non-negotiable requirements, ensuring consistent standards across all tourism sectors. Let us transform recent events into a catalyst for change. By prioritising safety as a deeply-ingrained value, we can ensure every Malaysian adventure is filled with cherished memories and not tragic regrets, and firmly establish our nation as a truly safe and welcoming destination for all. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

tourists. They must encourage guests to speak up if they observe fellow travellers engaging in unsafe behaviour. This includes transparently discussing the dangers of overestimating one’s capabilities, emphasising the importance of always checking health and physical limitations before engaging in activities and highlighting the dangers of engaging in supervised activities alone, like diving. Promoting group vigilance and personal responsibility will help prevent unnecessary

sometimes lead to bypassed safety protocols. This reflects a human tendency, particularly on holiday, to drop our guard, become more adventurous and even overestimate our own capabilities. We see it in tourists taking perilous photos at the edge of a cliff or engaging in activities alone that clearly require supervision. This “holiday high” can unfortunately morph into a “holiday hazard” and I have personally witnessed countless such instances resulting in avoidable injuries and near misses.

LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com

Costly cycle of buy now, pay later A TOTAL of 5,272 youths aged 34 and under have been declared bankrupt between 2020 and 2025, accounting for 14.94% of all bankruptcy cases in the country. For those with poor control over their spending habits, it is easy to lose track and take on more than they can afford to repay. This can lead to missed instalment payments, late penalties and mounting debt that continues to grow.

Inclusive matriculation policy key to progress IT is commendable that Malaysia has taken a major step towards educational equality by awarding scholarships and guaranteeing matriculation placement to all students – regardless of race or background – who achieve grades of A, A+ or A- in 10 subjects in the SPM examination. students who qualify by recognising their academic achievements. Such policies will not only reward academic excellence but also promote social equity.

According to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, 5,189 of them were between the ages of 25 and 34 while 83 were under 25. Based on these statistics, the growing accessibility of buy now, pay later (BNPL) services is concerning as it could further increase bankruptcy among young adults, especially if they are not properly educated about its risks and financial responsibilities. BNPL is especially popular among young, tech-savvy users due to its easy accessibility and the appeal of interest-free instalment payments. Research by the Consumer Credit Oversight Board Task Force, a government agency, found that 2.9 million Malaysians are active BNPL users in the country, with 44% aged between 21 and 30. Unsurprisingly, the easy accessibility of BNPL has led many users to struggle with repayments as their deferred spending continues to rise. With each instalment payment missed, the penalty can range from RM10 to RM50. This constant habit of using BNPL, especially among impulsive individuals, can be financially damaging as it can lead users into repeated cycles of debt.

On the flip side, it is undeniable that BNPL has also helped many from the lower income group, with data from Bank Negara Malaysia showing that 80% of users earn less than RM3,000 per month. This can be a lifeline for some users who need to resort to BNPL to afford essential items such as milk powder, diapers and groceries. However, while BNPL can provide temporary relief for urgent needs, it remains a tool that must be used with caution. What starts as a necessity can easily become a habit, especially when the line between essentials and non essentials becomes blurred. At the end of the day, as with most things, moderation is key. It is important that education institutions such as universities hold campaigns to educate students about the benefits and harm of BNPL to encourage greater financial responsibility among young adults. Darren Ong Wei Shen City University Cyberjaya

This significant move towards levelling the playing field for all students comes at a crucial time in Malaysia’s effort to reverse the brain drain as many of our brightest minds continue to pursue opportunities at foreign universities. We must value every high-achieving student and provide them with equal opportunities to pursue quality education at home. This initiative will pave the way for further improvements to the system. The SPM examination should focus solely on core academic subjects while elective subjects – such as religious studies, fine arts and sports – should be assessed separately. The total number of subjects tested in the SPM exam should be reduced to eight, focusing on academic strengths while also incorporating an educational profile that reflects all other coursework the student has completed. In support of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s commitment to inspire public confidence in the education system, this inclusive, merit-based reform will benefit all