Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment has introduced official safety standard operating procedures (SOPs) for scuba diving to promote responsible tourism and prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Sabah Dive Squad Club (also known as Deus Diving Club) President Sim Fui lauded the move as vital for diver safety and tourism growth, noting that scuba diving contributes over RM500 million annually to the State’s economy.
“Sabah is renowned for its beautiful diving spots from Sepanggar, Kota Belud, Kudat, Lahad Datu to Semporna,” he said.
He said that it is concerning when diving accidents occur, especially those involving international visitors.
“Strengthening SOP compliance is essential to maintain our reputation as a world-class diving destination,” Sim said.
The club recently paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, who emphasised the importance of strict compliance with the newly established SOPs.
He highlighted that the Ministry indicated that the SOP would be publicly released soon and welcomed the club’s support in raising awareness within the industry.
In response, the club will host a Safety and Medical Talk on July 20, aimed at educating divers and operators on the latest safety guidelines.
He also noted that this initiative follows several recent diving fatalities linked to negligence.
“We welcome this collaboration with the Ministry and will incorporate the updated SOPs into our upcoming safety talk.
“By engaging more stakeholders, particularly dive operators who work directly with clients, we hope to minimise diving accidents as much as possible,” he said.
Sim encouraged all dive professionals, tourism operators and recreational diving enthusiasts to participate in the upcoming session to stay informed and help ensure that Sabah remains a safe and premier diving destination.
