KOTA KINABALU: A full investigation has been initiated to look into potential lapses in standard operating procedures that resulted in the drowning of a tourist from China at Mamutik Island near the city recently.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said on Tuesday (June 25) that they would investigate the incident.
She said the case reminds all travellers and operators to adhere to standard operating procedures set for any tourism-related recreational activity.
“In this case, we will probe into understanding how the victim was unnoticed until everyone returned to the beach,” she said in the statement.
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She said her ministry would collaborate with Sabah Parks to ensure safety measures are in place.
Liew said that lifeguards were placed at islands under Sabah Parks’ jurisdiction, while dive masters were responsible for the safety of divers.
The minister said her ministry would engage with all tourism stakeholders on safety compliance, including the Sabah Tourism Board and Sabah Parks.
The federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry would also continue to conduct more vigorous checks on tour operators’ safety compliance.
On Saturday (June 22), a 25-year-old Chinese tourist drowned during a diving trip to Mamutik Island off the city here.
