Malaysia Dive Industry Calls for National Safety Council as Licensed Guide Shortage Deepens

Malaysia’s diving industry is calling for government funding to establish a dedicated national recreational scuba diving safety council while warning that the country has only a fraction of the licensed dive guides it needs.

The Malaysia Scuba Diving Association (MSDA) has urged the government to include support for diving safety, professional licensing and emergency preparedness in Budget 2027, which is due to be tabled in Parliament on 9 October.

According to proposals reported by Free Malaysia Today, MSDA estimates Malaysia needs between 800 and 1,000 licensed dive guides to support its recreational diving sector. However, only around 200 people have so far attended the Island Host course used as one of the routes towards obtaining a dive guide licence.

The figures point to a substantial gap between the number of professionals currently moving through the licensing system and the industry’s estimated requirements.

Call for a National Diving Safety Council

Central to MSDA’s proposals is the establishment of a National Recreational Scuba Diving Safety Council bringing together government agencies and representatives of the diving industry.

The association argues that such a body could provide a coordinated approach to issues including diver safety, professional licensing and emergency response.

MSDA is also seeking investment in rescue and first-aid training, emergency oxygen and communications equipment, as well as improvements to jetties and facilities used by dive boats.

Every major diving destination should also have an established emergency and evacuation plan involving operators, rescue services and healthcare providers, according to the association.

The proposals come at a sensitive time for Malaysia’s diving industry.

Earlier this month, MSDA called for a comprehensive investigation following two diving-related fatalities on Pulau Tioman within the space of a month.

The association said operators should face decisive action if investigations establish serious breaches of safety requirements, licensing rules or negligence.

Malaysia Needs More Licensed Dive Guides

The shortage of licensed dive guides has been developing into a wider industry issue.

Under current Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture guidelines for scuba dive guides, applicants for Malaysia’s scuba dive guide licence must be Malaysian citizens and hold at least Divemaster-level certification from an internationally recognised scuba training organisation.

Applicants must also have completed an approved tourism-related course or recognised alternative, which can include the Island Host course.

They must additionally be appointed by, employed by or affiliated with a dive centre holding a valid MOTAC tourism operating and travel agency licence.

MSDA wants government assistance to make the licensing pathway more accessible, including financial support towards course fees and additional courses held closer to Malaysia’s island and coastal diving communities.

Travel and accommodation assistance has also been proposed for candidates who would otherwise have to travel significant distances to attend training.

The issue is particularly relevant in Sabah, where questions surrounding dive-guide licensing, foreign professionals and the participation of local communities in the marine tourism economy have become increasingly prominent.

As The Scuba News reported in September, Sabah’s diving industry has backed moves towards clearer licensing requirements for professional dive guides.

MSDA had already warned earlier in 2026 that only 203 dive professionals had been processed through the Island Host programme, compared with an estimated national requirement for 800 to 1,000 guides.

Safety and Tourism Growth

The latest proposals also raise a broader question about how Malaysia manages the growth of its diving tourism industry.

MSDA estimates that around 800 companies are involved in marine recreation and scuba diving across the country, serving a diving community it puts at more than 500,000 people.

Malaysia is already promoted internationally as one of Asia’s major diving destinations, with internationally recognised locations including Sipadan, Mabul, Mataking, Tioman, Perhentian and numerous other islands.

Tourism Malaysia identifies diving as one of the country’s specialist tourism sectors and works with MSDA on the development and promotion of Malaysia as an international diving destination.

That promotion is likely to intensify as Malaysia seeks further tourism growth.

For the diving industry, MSDA’s argument is that increasing visitor numbers must be accompanied by investment in the infrastructure and professional workforce needed to support them safely.

The association is therefore asking for additional funding not simply to promote Malaysian diving overseas, but to expand the number of licensed professionals and improve emergency preparedness at the destinations those visitors are being encouraged to explore.

With Budget 2027 due to be presented this week, the government’s response will provide an early indication of whether recreational diving safety and professionalisation will form part of Malaysia’s wider tourism investment strategy.