11-07-2025
Matta slams rule for crash report within 24 hours, says industry not consulted
A tour bus was involved in the June 9 crash near Gerik, Perak, that killed 15 UPSI students. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR : The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) has criticised the tourism, arts and culture ministry for requiring tour companies to submit a report within 24 hours of any accident, or risk having their business licence cancelled.
Matta president Nigel Wong said the mandate, effective from July 1, was an 'extreme' measure introduced without consulting industry players.
'Government agencies should first carry out investigations before pronouncing judgment. As far as the ministry is concerned, we understand it needs the information to improve on the situation (of road accidents involving tour vehicles).
'However, 24 hours is not a reasonable timeframe, and suspending licences should the report not be lodged within this timeframe is also not acceptable,' he said.
Nigel Wong.
Wong said stripping tourism companies of their licences would not only affect their staff and their families but also the company's clients, which would not reflect kindly on Malaysia as a travel destination.
'(In terms of road accidents) it may not be the owners of the businesses (who are at fault). It could be the drivers themselves, or the condition of the vehicle. It could even be external influences.
'The tourism community is saying, look, don't just penalise a tour company for the sake of making a statement,' he said.
The ministry had made it mandatory for companies holding Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business (Tobtab) licences to report any accidents within 24 hours of the incident from July 1.
It said failure to comply with this new rule would see their licences revoked without notice, adding that this is to ensure the safety and integrity of the nation's tourism sector.
This followed several fatal road crashes involving tour buses, including one on June 9 that saw 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students losing their lives.
Multiple agencies but no coordination
Wong said various ministries and agencies were stepping in to impose regulations on the industry now, including the natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry, and the road transport department (JPJ).
However, he said, there seemed to be no coordination among them.
Matta vice-president (land transportation) K Subramaniam called for greater transparency and clarity on proposed regulations for the sector, saying regulatory ambiguity only leads to more confusion within tour companies that manage transport.
Wong reiterated that industry players would be happy to work with the relevant ministries to formulate a balanced solution to issues, but the government must start implementing regulations with stakeholders in mind.
