Accra:The Malaysia Scuba Diving Association (MSDA) is prepared to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and other governmental bodies to enhance Malaysia's marine tourism and conservation, following the announcements in Budget 2027.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MSDA President Aminor Azmi Abdul Latip stated that the association intends to be actively involved in policy planning, industry development, safety standards, regulatory compliance, human capital development, and tourism promotion. The increased development allocation in Budget 2027 is seen as a catalyst for stronger collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders to protect Malaysia's marine heritage while ensuring equitable economic benefits for coastal communities.

Aminor emphasized the importance of aligning marine tourism development with safety, industry professionalism, the well-being of local communities, and environmental sustainability. He noted that the success of tourism should not only be measured by visitor numbers but also by the economic opportunities created and the preservation of marine heritage for future generations.

MSDA's industry estimates indicate that Malaysia hosts over 800 companies in marine-based tourism and has a scuba diving community of around 500,000 individuals. Aminor also pointed out six key proposals submitted to MOTAC, which include establishing the National Recreational Scuba Diving Safety Council to manage safety standards, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

He highlighted the need for improved safety and service quality through higher professional standards and stricter enforcement of dive guide licensing. Additionally, he proposed expanding MSDA's role in scuba diving promotion through events like dive festivals and international marketing initiatives.

Regarding infrastructure and sustainable tourism governance, Aminor called for upgrades to jetties, including the separation of passenger and cargo movements, and managing visitor limits at Pulau Tenggol, Pulau Bidong, Labuan, and emerging destinations in Sabah to prevent overtourism.

For human capital development, he suggested MOTAC collaborate with ministries related to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to establish a National Scuba Diving Academy, offering skills training, safety education, and career pathways for youth. Lastly, he advocated for expanded joint marine conservation efforts, focusing on coral reef protection, ghost net management, pollution control, and raising public environmental awareness.