KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) will hold further discussions with the Health Ministry on the initiative to convert tourist vans into ambulances.
In a statement today, Motac told the New Straits Times that, the ministry is also currently refining the matter with the Land Public Transport Commission (APAD) on the technical aspects to find out the best method to realise the proposal.
Motac said it would also consult with relevant associations on the specifications in accordance with the needs of APAD for the purpose of implementation.
In welcoming the announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the ministry said the initiative would indirectly help ease the burden of tourism operators who are badly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was reported on Friday that the government agreed to convert about 100 tourist vans into ambulances to help tackle emergency cases of Covid-19 especially in the Klang Valley.
Ismail Sabri said the move was planned under the Greater Klang Valley Special Task Force following the current Covid-19 situation in the country, apart from complaints of ambulance delays in picking up patients requiring immediate treatment from home.
He also said the initiative was to assist tourist van operators who were affected by current movement controls that prohibit interstate travel, thus affecting the tourism industry.
Meanwhile, Motac said tour van permits for Peninsular Malaysia are under the jurisdiction of APAD and the Transport Ministry.
It said any matters involving renovation of these vehicles would be subjected to APAD approval.
"For Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, tourist vehicle permits are issued by Motac under the Tourism Vehicles Licensing Act 1999.
"The permits issued by APAD are only to tour van operators who are under travel agency companies licensed by Motac under the Tourism Industry Act 1992.
"The involved company must have an inbound tour operator license before it can submit the application to APAD."