Minister urges Penang govt to pay serious attention to tourists’ safety

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KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen yesterday urged the Penang government to pay serious attention to the safety of tourists visiting the state.

The reminder came in the wake of an incident in which a Saudi Arabian tourist, Ali Shamrani, 30, sustained a broken hip and bodily injuries when the jet ski he was riding was hit by another jet ski operated by two Indian nationals at the Batu Feringghi beach in Penang Saturday.

“I have said this before and I will say it again, that the safety of tourists is important to the tourism industry because we have been telling the world that our country is safe and stable.

“So, I would like to remind Lim (Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng) not to poke his nose into other state’s safety affairs, but instead to mind the safety affairs in Penang first.”

She said this after the opening of the 58th MCA annual general assembly by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

If the situation persists, Dr Ng said she was worried that not only Penang’s tourism sector would be jeopardised, the income of local people who were depending on the industry would also be affected. — Bernama

Hence, she said the Penang government should be firm in enforcing the laws and regulations, besides offering suitable trainings to tour and travel operators to improve their services. — Bernama