SEMPORNA: The Sabah government is stepping up efforts to strengthen safety awareness among tourism operators and stakeholders in the district through awareness programmes.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry (Kepkas) permanent secretary Datuk Josie Lai said Semporna was a world-renowned recreational and diving destination.
“However, such a reputation comes with great responsibilities to ensure that all activities are conducted according to the highest safety standards.
“A safety incident off our waters would not only affect lives but also have a negative impact on the overall reputation of Sabah tourism.
“Safety is not a choice, but a basic requirement for a sustainable tourism industry in the country and the state,” she said in her welcoming remarks at the Safety Talk for Dive Centre Operators in Semporna, held at a hotel here last night.
Her speech was delivered by deputy permanent secretary Nekma Abdullah.
Lai added that Kepkas, together with other security and enforcement agencies, was committed to monitoring, enforcing and improving safety guidelines for the well-being of tourists and industry players.
The programme, organised in collaboration with the Kota Kinabalu Welfare Diving Association (PKSP), was attended by about 80 participants and featured three speakers.
Semporna Senior Fire Officer II Abdullah Harun, who has 22 years of experience, identified bad weather, engaging in water activities without life jackets and underestimating water depths as among the risks that could lead to loss of life.
He also reminded tour operators and guides to check guests’ health conditions before water activities, adhere to warnings issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department and discourage swimming during heavy rain or storms.
Colonel (Dr) Eugene Tan Choon Li 陈俊利, who is also PKSP’s medical adviser, said people with heart, lung and neurological conditions, as well as diabetes, were advised to seek medical advice before diving.
“For pregnant women, it is not advisable to dive as there is no evidence of complications following the activity, especially in terms of pressure (changes) to the fetus.
“Resuming diving can be considered after a month following a normal delivery, but up to two months after a Caesarean procedure to allow the wound to heal fully,” said the internal medicine specialist at the Kota Kinabalu Regional Armed Forces Hospital.
First Warrant Officer Almudi Eskal said dive operators should be equipped with emergency oxygen kits, as these could save lives in many water-related activities.
Citing the limited availability of about three multi-million-ringgit hyperbaric chambers at the naval bases in Sepanggar, Semporna and Sandakan, the PKSP technical adviser said diving-related emergencies should be treated at the nearest hospitals as soon as possible before patients were referred to the facilities.
Also present were Semporna district police chief Superintendent Tan Hiap Wah, association chairman Sim Fui and representatives from government agencies.
Formerly known as Sabah Dive Squad Club, PKSP had also held similar safety talk in Kota Kinabalu involving over 100 participants last year. -pr/BNN
