GEORGE TOWN: The country’s tourism industry will suffer if the Penang Government does not take swift action to prevent accidents arising from watersports activities in Batu Ferringhi.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said seven beach accidents had reportedly occurred in the last three months with three people sustaining serious injuries. “I hope the state government will set up a proper system to ensure the safety of tourists on its beaches, especially in Batu Ferringhi.

“Beach activities are under the jurisdiction of the state and strict enforcement should be carried out,” she said after visiting Chinese national Zhu Li, 47, at the Penang Hospital yesterday. Zhu Li was taking photographs at the Batu Ferringhi beach when she was rammed by two Myanmar nationals on a water scooter on Saturday. She fractured her two femur bones and may be hospitalised for up to six months. Ng said enforcement was important to ensure all safety procedures were followed. 

“Banning watersports activities is not the solution,” she said, referring to the state government’s temporary ban on such activities. She said the regulations should outline safety procedures, proper zones for watersports activities, requirements for those steering water craft and insurance procedures.

“We will try to help Zhu Li’s family by helping to extend their visas,” she said after talking to Zhu Li and her husband Zhao Yong Gang, 47. Ng said the doctor had informed her that they were unable to operate on Zhu Li’s legs yet as there was a compound fracture which was contaminated with sand and dirt.

Zhu Li and her daughter Zhao Xue, 20, were on their first trip to Penang to celebrate the Lunar New Year with her husband, who works in an electronics plant in Sungai Petani.

Meanwhile, state police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob said the two Myanmar nationals, who were believed to be on holiday in Penang, have been remanded for two weeks under the Immigration Act for not possessing valid travelling documents