Short-term rental rules under review to protect consumers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) and the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) are currently in the process of reviewing the planning guidelines for Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA).
Its deputy minister, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, said the review incorporates input from various stakeholders and aims to develop an appropriate and effective mechanism for monitoring service quality within the STRA ecosystem.
"To address issues related to STRA, KPKT, through the Town and Country Planning Department, has developed the planning guidelines as a reference for all local authorities across Malaysia.
"The guidelines outline several regulatory aspects for STRA hosts, including the categories of residential premises allowed, requirements for registration and licensing, safety considerations, duration of stay, and enforcement actions.
"Since the regulation of tourist accommodation premises falls under the jurisdiction of state governments and is administered by their respective local authorities, Motac and KPKT are currently reviewing the STRA planning guidelines," Khairul told the New Straits Times today.
He said the Penang government and the Petaling Jaya City Council are among the local authorities that have taken proactive steps in regulating STRA, and they could serve as models for other states in Malaysia.
STRA refers to the rental of residential properties — such as apartments, condominiums, or houses — for short-term stays, typically of less than 30 days.
On June 3, Malaysian Budget and Business Hotel Association president Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel had urged the government to address the issue of unregulated STRA and the unlicensed sale of lodging options through online travel agencies (OTAs) and social media platforms.
Ganesh said five key issues stem from the lack of regulatory oversight, including safety risks to tourists due to non-compliance with fire safety and health standards, as well as disturbances to residential communities caused by unchecked transient occupancy.
Other concerns include loss of tax revenue for local councils and the federal government, distorted market pricing, disadvantageous law-abiding hotel operators, and weak consumer protection, leaving tourists vulnerable to scams and unsafe premises.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
11 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Living in trees or on trees or in the jungle?
LIVING in trees is used to describe animals that live among the leaves, branches and trunks of trees. Living on trees applies to animals living on the surface of dead trees or trunks. Living in the jungle means residing in a densely vegetated tropical rain forest surviving mostly on wild foods. As such, I was puzzled by the report 'Some still believe natives live on trees, laments tourism minister' (June 4). Noting the persistence of outdated stereotyping, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said 'Some still believe our native people live in the jungle'. While many Malaysians have a negative connotation of the jungle, such as describing people who acted less civilised as 'hutan mari', meaning from the jungle, I always have a romanticised view of nature, especially jungles, not just the flora and fauna, but also the people living there. It started when I was a boy watching Tarzan movies and five were made from 1955 to 1960. They were Tarzan's Hidden Jungle, Tarzan and the Lost Safari, Tarzan's Fight for Life, Tarzan's Greatest Adventure, and Tarzan the Magnificent. The 11th Tarzan was played by Gordon Scott. While staying in the quarters of a tobacco leaf farm near Bukit Tinggi in 1964 , a year before Genting Highlands was opened, I reached puberty. I was working there during the first term school holiday and there was a mountain stream with fish flowing nearby. I had a great time. In 1974, I brought French tour groups to the National Park, travelling by tour bus from Kuala Lumpur to Tembeling Halt and then by small boats to reach Kuala Tahan. Once, on a boat tour, the tour group witnessed a local landing a big fish, and it became the main menu for our dinner. About four decades ago, a vagrant was found living on an old frangipani tree at the junction of Jalan Pudu and Jalan Sultan in Kuala Lumpur. Instead of using discarded materials to build a shed from the ground up like squatters do, he built a flimsy shelter on the trunk and branches. This was the only case I know of a person 'living in a tree' anywhere in the world in my entire life. In many countries, tree houses were built for children to play. For tourists, they could choose to stay at luxury treehouse cabins, lodges, hotels, and resorts for getaway holidays. While many Malaysians immediately take offence when foreigners think that we are still living in trees, I am certainly not. Stereotyping on anything is all too common and it would be unnecessary and futile to change those who are ignorant or continue to be biased. Along with millions of other tourists, I too would be most interested to visit any place in our country or around the world where large numbers of people are living in trees. The most isolated tribe is found in North Sentinel Island, Bay of Bengal, but remains out of bounds to outsiders. Globally, those who live off the land, meaning to live on whatever food one can obtain by hunting, gathering or subsistence farming needs help from the government, and not used as exhibits for visitors to ogle and take videos like some kind of animals. They include the poor or marginalised living off the grid without access to public supply of electricity and water. Many live in no man's land at the fringes of farms, plantations and jungles, but none in or on the trees. In Sarawak, the Dayaks that include Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah and many more traditionally live in longhouses on stilts along rivers near jungles. They practise diverse cultures, customs and traditions in their daily lives, and are hospitable to visitors looking for memorable experiences. But if longhouses were to be built in the city for the convenience of visitors, much of the magical experience would be lost. If they are not located near jungles, a remote countryside or jungle fringe would be good enough. Interestingly, forsaken areas in many cities can look like a jungle. ‒ June 6, 2025 YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Sarawak Tourism Board
Borneo Post
12 hours ago
- Borneo Post
New tourism projects to ease Semporna congestion
Christina receives a memento from Zhao Jun (third from left). KOTA KINABALU (June 6): The Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry has proposed two major projects aimed at retaining tourists in Tawau. Its minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew, said one of the projects is the Tawau Tourism Jetty which will allow ferries to transport tourists between Tawau and Semporna on a fixed schedule. This initiative aims to encourage tourists to stay overnight in Tawau while easing congestion in Semporna. Christina noted that Semporna, a favorite destination among Chinese tourists, is facing congestion due to its popularity for diving. The long travel distance from Tawau Airport to Semporna has also led to traffic accidents. The other project is the development of Tawau Hill Park which will see the construction of chalets, guided tours and a Pangolin Research Centre to attract eco-tourists and provide overnight options in Tawau. The project is expected to begin by year-end. The Floating Club House at Gaya Island. In addition, Christina said Sandakan will also be promoted, with funding allocated for wildlife sanctuaries such as the elephant sanctuary to ensure balanced tourism development. 'Sandakan's wildlife attractions cater to a different segment of tourists, so facility upgrades are necessary,' she said at the launch of the Floating Club House at Gaya Island today. Christina disclosed that Sabah has recorded 1.18 million visitor arrivals from January to April this year, marking a 17.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. 'We are optimistic that tourist arrivals will continue to grow in the coming quarters, especially with improvements in transportation, logistics, food and entertainment,' she said. Christina expressed confidence that the Sabah Tourism Board's 2025 target of 3.5 million tourist arrivals is achievable. She highlighted that tourists from China, South Korea, and even France are among those contributing to the growth, with tourism operators investing heavily in new facilities to accommodate the expected increase — particularly from China. Earlier in her speech, Christina described the launch of the Floating Club House at Gaya Island as a milestone in Sabah's tourism evolution. 'This represents strategic collaboration between the public and private sectors, aiming to elevate high-value tourism in Sabah,' she said. She praised Lazy Cat International Travel Service Co. Ltd. for their substantial investment in Sabah's tourism sector, including luxury yacht services, cultural tourism ventures, and marine transportation enhancements via their local subsidiary, Cheetah Transportation Sdn Bhd. The Floating Club House, uniquely constructed atop the sea, offers sustainable luxury with facilities for dining, leisure, and scenic appreciation — setting a new benchmark for marine-based tourism experiences in the state. Also present at the launch were Malaysian Tourism Federation President Datuk Tan Kok Liang, Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd Chairman Ken Pan Ying On, CEO Thonny Chee, Cheetah Transportation Sdn Bhd Director Eric Yong, and Lazy Cat Chairman Zhao Jun.
The Sun
17 hours ago
- The Sun
Introducing ATLAS: Malaysia's pioneering Shariah-compliant digital bank by Bank Muamalat
BANK Muamalat Malaysia Berhad (Bank Muamalat) today officially launched ATLAS by Bank Muamalat, Malaysia's first Islamic digital-only bank designed around faith and lifestyle alignment. Purpose-built to offer a seamless, Shariah-compliant banking experience, ATLAS combines innovative financial technology with lifestyle features tailored for the faith-conscious and tech-savvy generation. The launch marks a transformative milestone in Bank Muamalat's journey to redefine Islamic banking and positions the Bank as a pioneer in Malaysia's rapidly growing digital banking landscape. It is a key component of the Bank's five-year RISE26+ Strategy, which aims to revolutionize the financial ecosystem through innovation, operational resilience, and Shariah leadership. Designed from the ground up to meet evolving consumer expectations, ATLAS blends digital convenience with spiritual enrichment, creating a holistic financial ecosystem for the modern Muslim. A distinctively Islamic, faith-centric experience ATLAS stands apart from mainstream digital banking offerings by delivering a uniquely Islamic, faith-centered experience. The platform integrates features such as real-time Prayer Times, Daily Doa, Islamic Calendar, Zikir Counter, Kiblat Finder, as well as dedicated services for Zakat and Qurban — all thoughtfully crafted to support customers in living a values-driven and faith-aligned lifestyle. 'ATLAS was built for people — to deliver not just financial solutions, but meaningful digital experiences that align with our customers' values and daily needs. It represents the next evolution of Islamic banking: intuitive, inclusive, and deeply personal,' said Khairul Kamarudin, President and CEO of Bank Muamalat. Khairul also highlighted ATLAS's role in expanding financial inclusion by reaching underserved and unbanked communities, particularly younger Malaysians, thereby contributing to sustainable national growth. Powered by leading global technology partners Developed in partnership with global technology leaders including Mambu, Google Cloud, Backbase, HyperQB, and Kestrl, ATLAS delivers a secure, scalable, and user-centric digital banking experience. These collaborations ensure the platform adheres to world-class standards for performance, data privacy, and customer engagement. Fast onboarding and exclusive launch offers ATLAS employs a digital-first approach, enabling users to activate accounts and start transacting within minutes through instant onboarding. Soon, the platform will introduce the virtual ATLAS x Mastercard Debit Card-i, granting immediate access to secure, Shariah-compliant digital payments. To encourage early adoption, ATLAS is offering an exclusive 5% profit rate for the first three months to early users — a limited-time, high-yield Shariah-compliant savings incentive (terms and conditions apply). Innovative savings and financial planning features The platform features profit-generating savings accounts with daily earnings. Upcoming enhancements will include flexible Savings Pouch tools and personalized financial planning features designed to promote purposeful money management in alignment with spiritual values. Availability ATLAS is now available for download on the Apple App Store, with the Google Play Store version coming soon. Join the journey to better More than just a banking app, ATLAS is your digital companion for financial and spiritual growth. With innovation at its core and values at its heart, ATLAS sets a new benchmark in Islamic digital banking.
