Provide insurance coverage for mountain workers: PKR
Published on: Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Api-Api Assemblywoman Christina Liew proposed the government make it mandatory for government linked companies (GLCs) to provide insurance coverage for mountain workers. She said those working on the mountain should at least be covered under group personal accident insurance or alternatively, for those under the employment of tour companies, to be covered as skilled workers, with workman's compensation and insurance. Liew said this during the charity fund raising dinner organised by the Society of Hope Kota Kinabalu which she heads.
ADVERTISEMENT
The event which was held in tribute to mountain guides was jointly held with the Sabah Hope Centre and PKR Kota Kinabalu division at the Dowish Restaurant in Penampang on Sunday. The ceremony was attended by the families of mountain guides Robbi Sapinggi and Joseph Salungin, and Mountain Torq workers, Valerian Joannes and Ricky Masirin, who were killed in the earthquake.Also present were PKR Sabah Chief Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, opposition Penampang MP Darrel Leiking, DAP Likas Assemblyman Junz Wong and Mount Kinabalu Guide Association Chairman Richard Soibi among others.A total of RM5,000 were donated to each family as well as the Mount Kinabalu Guide Association, while a total of RM1,255 was also collected during the charity dinner.
ADVERTISEMENT
Liew suggested the government bestow official awards on the two mountain guides and two Mountain Torq workers who lost their lives saving others. "These are the heroes that deserve recognition, their bravery and courage must not be forgotten with time," she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
She also urged the government to ensure all building plans are designed with anti-quake fixtures. "I understand that Selangor and Terengganu have started this design and I hope Sabah will be adopting the same, especially in high rise buildings," she said.On another note, she urged the government to improve on handling emergency situations such as what took place on June 5 where a total of 18 people were killed in the 5.9 Richter scale earthquake. "We are not pointing fingers at anybody for the delay of saving those stranded on the mountain, but a lesson to be learned is preparation to salvage lives in an emergency situation," she said. Lajim in his speech proposed a minimum wage of RM800 be given to mountain guides whose livelihood has been affected by the closure of Mount Kinabalu. "The government gave them RM400 to them but I think they should be given RM800 minimum wage for the duration they have no income," he said.The monetary aid was announced by Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun who said active mountain guides will receive RM400 and the inactive ones RM250.Masidi also said Mount Kinabalu is expected to be reopened to climbers in early September.Lajim also expressed disappointment over the late arrival of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue team to Ranau. "They should have arrived first because they are well trained and the money used to train them is the people's money, they could have flown to Sabah and been in Ranau within hours," he said. "Yes there are standard operating procedures to abide by and I agree with the mountain guide that the SOP in such situations should be done according to the mountain guides who were brave enough to make the decision to bring the stranded climbers down to safety," he said. "I hope they will continue the efforts, because if not for them, who else would be guides for our tourists up in Mount Kinabalu and I agree that there must be safety briefing to climbers before going up the mountain," he added. Meanwhile, Mount Kinabalu Guide Association Chairman Richard Soibi welcomed the proposal by Lajim for a minimum wage of RM800. He said mountain guides take home a monthly nett salary of RM850 with an average of eight climbs a month, which means twice a week. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
