Penang becomes first state to make hotel safety videos mandatory for guests
SEBERANG PERAI, Sept 29 — Penang has become the first state in Malaysia to make it compulsory for hotels to play safety awareness videos for guests, a move aimed at enhancing tourist safety and preventing accidents.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the initiative was necessary as the state’s tourism numbers continue to grow, recording 8.2 million visitors in 2024.
“With the increase in visitors, it comes with challenges, especially in terms of safety involving water-based activities and hotel facilities,” he said in his speech when launching the guest fire safety awareness video programme at the Holiday Inn and Suites here.
To underscore the risk, Chow highlighted that drowning is a serious concern, citing World Health Organisation statistics that rank it among the top 10 causes of accidental death globally.
He said the Fire and Rescue Department records about 320 drowning cases nationwide each year, often involving tourists at recreational spots.
Chow added that safety is a primary concern for travellers, pointing out that studies show tourists often prefer safer destinations even if the costs are higher.
He envisioned this initiative as a potential blueprint for a national standard, which would boost international confidence in Malaysia’s safety protocols.
“Imagine if each hotel in Malaysia has the same standard operating procedure for water safety and it is compulsory for each guest to watch the video… this will reduce incidents and, at the same time, instil confidence among visitors,” he said.
He added that with support from the Fire and Rescue Department, this new policy could help build a more systematic visitor safety framework nationwide.
