by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 11: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has called for the reinstatement of his Ministry’s full regulatory authority over tourism vehicles, in line with the original provisions of the Tourism Vehicle Licensing Act 1999 (Act 594).
This is so the Ministry could establish a more robust and unified safety framework aimed at restoring confidence in Malaysia’s road transport system.
His statement came in the wake of the recent tragic bus accident along the Gerik-Jeli Highway between Perak and Kelantan that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students.
In a Facebook post, Tiong said the incident has triggered mounting concerns among international tourists and travellers, many of whom have questioned the adequacy of Malaysia’s tourism transport safety assurance mechanisms.
He stressed that inconsistencies in the current regulatory landscape have long plagued the tourism transport sector, with loopholes that have hindered much-needed reforms.
“According to the original Tourism Vehicle Licensing Act 1999 (Act 594), the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture once held supervisory authority throughout the country.
“However, this authority was later transferred to the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), and now the Ministry only retains authority for the Federal Territories of Labuan, Sabah, and Sarawak,” he said.
He pointed out that following this transfer of authority, no comprehensive regulatory framework that encompasses the characteristics of tourism services, tourist safety requirements, and international standards could be established, leading to the current state of regulatory fragmentation.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture calls on all ministries involved, especially the Ministry of Transport, to take seriously the knock-on effects of this regulatory loophole and expedite the process of returning the regulatory authority of tourism transport to this ministry as enshrined in law,” Tiong said.
He noted that the aftermath of the accident has sparked alarm internationally, with tourism and student exchange partners from Asean, the Middle East, China, Japan, and Korea raising concerns with the Ministry and expressing doubts over Malaysia’s ability to ensure the safety of its tourism transport system.
“This erosion of confidence comes at a critical time as Malaysia prepares for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026), and it risks damaging our country’s image in the global tourism market,” he said.
More concerning, Tiong pointed out that from the end of June to August this year, more than 500 international exchange students are scheduled to arrive in Malaysia to undergo an exchange programme in Sabah.
“Faced with the uncertainty of the current tourism transportation safety system, many cooperation units and institutions have reassessed their original plans. If the safety of tourism transportation fails to be guaranteed, not only will the educational exchange programme be affected, but Malaysia’s position as a regional tourism hub will also be threatened,” he added.
Tiong emphasised that tourism transport is not merely about mobility; it represents the first touchpoint in a visitor’s experience and reflects Malaysia’s broader tourism image.
“As the Ministry responsible for tourism policy and national brand building, we are committed to promoting tourism while ensuring tourist safety.
“Therefore, building a comprehensive safety mechanism that is in line with the industry ecosystem, international confidence and tourist expectations is our responsibility.
“Otherwise, recurring transport safety issues will become a burden that can undermine our efforts,” he added. – DayakDaily
