Asia's most loved country introduces 24-hour accident reporting requirement

"Submitting a report within 24 hours is not an admission of guilt. Instead, it helps tour companies provide accurate information," said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

The report must include details such as the driver's background, health status prior to the incident, the tour bus's inspection record, its latest technical condition, and information about the travel group members, The Star reported.

Tiong explained that this information along with the itinerary and travel routes before and after the incident would aid authorities in determining the cause, New Straits Times reported.

He added that recent tour-related accidents have raised significant public concern, even prompting countries to issue travel advisories for certain destinations in Malaysia.

With the rise in tourist numbers, Tiong emphasized that Malaysia must take necessary steps to ensure the safety of visitors while mitigating potential risks.

In June, four Singaporean tourists were injured in a road accident near Malaysia's Genting Highlands when their car was struck by a pickup truck.

Also in June, at least 15 people were killed when a bus carrying university students collided with a minivan in northern Malaysia.

In July, two people were killed and 16 others injured after the tour bus they were on collided with two trucks in southern Malaysia.

Malaysia, named Asia's most loved country in 2024 by the American finance website Insider Monkey, received 13.3 million foreign tourists in the first four months of this year, marking a 21% increase year-on-year.