STUDY ACCIDENT AREAS TO PREVENT SLUMP IN TOURISM INDUSTRY

IPOH (Malaysia), Dec 22 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government is urged to
undertake studies on areas where fatal accidents occurred frequently like the
ones along roads leading to Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands, and
appropriate action should be taken so that they would not affect the tourism
industry.

Senator Boon Som Inong, representing the Siamese minority in the country,
said studies and follow-up actions were necessary so that similar incidents
would not recur.

"Fatal road accidents have occurred too frequently. Along the road to the
Cameron Highlands, two accidents have occurred. I call on the relevant
authorities to monitor the road condition because accidents not only cause the
loss of lives but can also result in us losing tourists coming to Malaysia," he
said.

He said this after visiting Thanvarat Poolsaeng, 36, who was among the
survivors of the worst road accident in the country, who was receiving treatment
at the Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, here.

Thanvarat lost her husband and daughter in the accident.


Boon Som also called on the government to review the permission given to
double-decker buses to carry tourists to highland and hilly areas.

In the accident at Km 15, Cameron Highlands-Simpang Pulai Road, 27 people
died, two of whom were Malaysians while the rest were Thai tourists. Ten others
were injured.

-- BERNAMA