Lawmakers in the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak have proposed the setting up of a ‘tourist court’ to enable visiting tourists to file civil claims for tourist scams.
Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum said the idea is to resolve complaints quickly while tourists are still in the region.
Last year 38 tourists were charged with various offences in the two states but no civil claims were filed by any tourist.
"My take on the absence of civil claim is that we do not have any special court for tourists like Singapore. Maybe they think their time was too short to file any claim and opt to let it go," Malanjum said.
He said any civil claims instigated by visiting tourists could be settled within a day in a special tourist court.
"It is time to create awareness among tourists that their short stay in the states should not inhibit them from taking legal actions if necessary."
"We will endeavor that any tourist’s claim is speedily resolved," he added.
