Latest news with #JosieLai
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Express
‘Enhance safety in scuba diving' call
Published on: Monday, July 21, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 21, 2025 Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry urged for stronger safety protocols in scuba diving activities following recent incidents involving divers in the State. 'The ocean is a treasure we are blessed with but it also comes with responsibilities, especially when ensuring the safety of those who explore its depths,' said the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai during a Safety Medical Talk organised by the Sabah Dive Squad Club at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Advertisement She said diving requires discipline, knowledge and strict adherence to safety measures. The event, co-organised with UMS and the Borneo Marine Research Institute, brought together 100 representatives from various agencies including the Maritime Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Fire and Rescue Department, and Royal Malaysian Navy. The talk featured presentations on first aid and dive-related medical emergencies by scuba diving medical adviser Lt Col (Dr) Eugene Tan Choon Li, technical diving adviser First Warrant Officer Almudi Eskal and marine conservationist Monica Chin. The Ministry also shared its standard operating procedures for scuba diving activities. Meanwhile, Club president Sim Fui acknowledged that recent diving incidents in Sabah have highlighted the dangers that can occur at any depth, from underwater separations to medical emergencies. He pointed out the importance of community preparedness and the club's commitment to promoting ethical and sustainable diving practices. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
5 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Safety-first culture in diving is essential, says Sabah ministry
Seated from second left, Sim Fui, Josie Lai with speakers and participants during the event. KOTA KINABALU: A safety-first culture should be nurtured in all activities, especially those involving risks, says Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Josie Lai. Lai said that safety is fundamental to ensuring activities run smoothly and that emergency responses are accurate and timely. This applies to diving activities as well, she said, noting that while the ocean is a treasure, it comes with responsibilities, particularly in ensuring the safety and well-being of those exploring its depths. 'Diving is not just a sport or hobby; it is a discipline that demands knowledge, preparation, and above all, respect for safety protocols,' she said while officiating at the Safety Medical Talk 1.0 by the Sabah Dive Squad Club on Sunday (July 20). 'Today's programme is an excellent initiative that brings together divers, professionals, and enthusiasts to strengthen awareness of medical and safety issues related to diving,' Lai added. The event, held at Galeri Azman Hashim, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), covered various issues, including basic first aid and dive-related medical emergencies. She said these topics are not just informative but may one day save lives. Invited speakers included scuba diving medical adviser Eugene Tan Choon Li, First Warrant Officer Almudi Eskal as a technical diving adviser, marine conservationist Monica Chin, and the ministry's senior principal assistant secretary Mohd Hisham Ujang. Mohd Hisham shared the ministry's standard operating procedures on scuba diving. Meanwhile, club president Sim Fui emphasised the importance of preparedness during dive and sea activities as a community. 'Whether it's separation, emergencies underwater, or medical distress, we must be ready—not just as individuals, but as a community,' he said, thanking the ministry for its trust and other co-sponsors for their continuous support in promoting safe, sustainable diving. He said recent unfortunate incidents involving scuba divers in Sabah have reminded participants of the dangers that can arise at any depth. One of the latest incidents involved the death of a Chinese tourist who drowned while diving in Sipadan waters in May this year. 'Beyond our dives, our club has stepped up as advocates for ethical and sustainable diving. We've issued several public statements in newspapers and on social media to reinforce our firm stance on protecting Sabah's rich marine biodiversity,' said Sim. He believes diving is a privilege, and that privilege comes with responsibility—to the environment, to the community, and to each other. The event was also co-organised with UMS and the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI). Around 100 participants, including club members, dive operators, medical doctors, university lecturers and students, marine professionals, marine officials, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, and the Royal Malaysian Navy were present.
Borneo Post
21-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah National Tabletop Con showcases creative tourism through play
The organisers of The Sabah National Tabletop Con 2025 with Josie Lai (sixth from right). KOTA KINABALU (June 21): The Sabah National Tabletop Con 2025 officially opened on Saturday at IMAGO Shopping Mall here, marking a new chapter for Sabah in promoting tourism and culture through the creative world of tabletop games. Organized by the Sabah Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STTOS), in collaboration with #LaiPlayLeow (Singapore) and XMultisport Event (Sabah), the two-day event brings together local talent, tourism players, and board game enthusiasts to celebrate design, imagination and play. The event is the grand finale of the Sabah National Board Game Design Competition, launched earlier this year to encourage local creators to develop games inspired by Sabah's diverse natural beauty, indigenous heritage and cultural narratives. In her officiating speech, Datuk Josie Lai Ming Sing, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment for Sabah said: 'This pioneering event brings together creativity, tourism and collaboration through the medium of board games. We celebrate not just the finalists, but the birth of Sabah's very own board game — a fresh and imaginative way to introduce our stories to the world.' Visitors can enjoy game showcases, creative workshops, playtest stations, merchandise booths and special lucky draws. The top three board game winners are being featured and played by the public for the first time at the event. 'This is more than just a gathering of game lovers — it's a bold move to position Sabah as a creative hub and national destination for cultural innovation,' said STTOS managing director Wendy Clare Stephen. The event is supported by key partners including the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS), Sabah Tourism Board, Tourism Malaysia, Sabah Art Gallery, and IMAGO Shopping Mall, which generously hosts the national-level event. 'Let us continue supporting those who believe in the power of creativity to elevate Sabah's presence on the global stage,' Josie concluded her speech.
Daily Express
12-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Sabah launches scuba diving safety SOPs ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026
Published on: Thursday, June 12, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 12, 2025 Text Size: The Deus committee - Facebook pic KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) has introduced official safety SOPs for scuba diving to promote responsible tourism and prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Advertisement Sabah Dive Squad Club president Sim Fui praised the move as vital for diver safety and tourism growth, noting scuba diving contributes over RM500 million to the state's economy. The club met with KePKAS Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, who stressed strict compliance and upcoming public release of the SOPs. In response, the club will host a Safety and Medical Talk on 20 July 2025 to educate divers and operators, following recent fatal diving incidents linked to negligence. Dive professionals and enthusiasts are urged to participate. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
29-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Record bid for Sandakan's First Historical Tree Trail
Teo (right) briefing the minister on the MPR – First Historical Tree Trail in Malaysia project at the English Tea House in Sandakan. Also present are the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai (second left) and Deputy Permanent Secretary I Alesia Sion (left). SANDAKAN (May 29): Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew has expressed full support for the proposed 'Malaysia Book of Records – First Historical Tree Trail in Malaysia' recognition for Sandakan. She said the recognition will definitely accentuate Sandakan's position as a popular travel destination on the world tourism map. 'There is no dearth of tourism hotspots in Sandakan, once known as The Little Hong Kong of Borneo. Today, it is acknowledged as the Nature City, and renowned as the 'Gateway to Borneo's Wildlife'. 'The number of historical trees found in the vicinity of the Agnes Keith House is amazing,' Liew said after touring the area during her recent visit to the district. Briefing the minister, President of the Sandakan Tourism Association, Teo Chee Kim said the 'Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) – First Historical Tree Trail in Malaysia' proposal is a joint initiative by the Sandakan Tourism Association and Sandakan Heritage Trail. 'We are working on this endeavour in collaboration with MBR, the Sabah Forestry Department, and Sandakan Municipal Council, among other stakeholders, to make the recognition status a reality. 'The Sabah Forestry Department in particular has rendered assistance in identifying the historical trees, some of which are more than 100 years old,' he said. Meanwhile, Teo in a presentation highlighted the key tourism attractions in Sandakan, namely the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Agnes Keith House Museum, Turtle Islands Park, Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Lankayan Island Diving Resort and Gomantong Cave.
