Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Parks has been urged to take stricter actions to ensure the safety of tourists involved in water activities.
The Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Sabah Chapter, in making the call, said that putting up warning signboards alone is insufficient to prevent accidents from occurring.
Its Chairman, Vincent Sia, said it is crucial for Sabah Parks personnel and lifeguards to be present at all times at all the parks’ island sites.
“They must ensure tourists wear life jackets before going into the water. The lifeguards must ensure that tourists swim or snorkel within the designated perimeters and do not stray to other areas,” said Sia following yet another drowning accident involving a 34-year-old Chinese tourist, this time at Mengalum Snorkeling Point on May 11.