Lee: Set up National Water Safety Council

25th February, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR: The time has come for Malaysia to set up a National Water Safety Council (NWSC) to take the lead in promoting and enhancing water safety in the country, said National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

He said the NSWC, to comprise representatives from various government agencies and NGOs like the Life Saving Society Malaysia (LSSM), would aim at reducing the incidence of drowning in Malaysia and to promote a water safety culture for Malaysians.

It is indeed so tragic to learn of the latest water disaster where eight students were drowned in Sungai Muar near Buloh Kasap Segamat.

One cannot be unconcerned about the growing number of drowning deaths in our country every year, he said.

Lee said it was therefore high time for the government and the relevant ministries to focus on the growing incidence of drowning cases and take some concrete action to reduce the number of drowning deaths each year.

According to the Fire & Rescue Department, the number of drowning deaths in 2013 was 330. As for this year until February 22 there were 67 deaths. This is indeed a serious matter.

There are many factors which cause drowning such as unrestricted and ready access to beaches, lack of knowledge and understanding of the water conditions, ignorance, disregard or misjudgement of the hazardous water conditions, absence of constant visual supervision and particularly lack of awareness and education in water safety, personal survival and life saving, said Lee.

He said it was the responsibility of those organisations, agencies and authorities with jurisdiction over the beaches, rivers, waterways and other areas to identify and preferably minimize the risks of injury or death by drowning.

It is insufficient to just install signs or provide safety equipment alone.

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Lee: Set up National Water Safety Council