Latest news with #KhairulFirdausAkbarKhan
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
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.
Barnama
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Barnama
Tourism Malaysia Organising Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025, Prizes Worth Rm400,000 Await Winners
REGION - CENTRAL > NEWS KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through Tourism Malaysia, is organising the 'Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025' photo and video competition from June 1 to 31 August 31, as part of efforts to intensify the promotion of tourism destinations in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). Its deputy minister, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, said the tourism-themed competition is open to all Malaysians, foreign residents and international visitors with a total prize pool of RM400,000. He said participants have the opportunity to win four main prizes, namely RM15,000 for the photo category and RM25,000 for the video category for phone users, as well as RM25,000 (photo category) and RM35,000 (video category) for camera users. Participants of the Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025 need to submit photos or videos online, along with copies of receipts as proof of travel activities, such as accommodation at registered and licensed premises, purchase of tickets to tourist attractions or booking of domestic transport tickets dated between Jan 1 and Aug 31, 2025. 'This competition is among the high-impact initiatives in intensifying the country's tourism promotion efforts creatively and to encourage domestic and international visitors to promote the beauty of Malaysia through photos and videos on their social media channels,' he said He said this in his speech at the launch of Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025, which was read out by MOTAC Deputy Secretary-General (Culture) Datuk Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff, at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTIC) here, today. According to Khairul Firdaus, Tourism Malaysia is also holding a 'Fam Trip' programme for local and ASEAN influencers from June 13 to 15 by receiving sponsorship of 10 cars from Perodua to introduce interesting tourist destinations. Later, at a press conference, Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director-General (Promotion II) Lee Thai Hung said the Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025 can also provide exposure and promotion to interesting destinations in the country, especially those that are not known to many. "Maybe Malaysians themselves do not know about the existence of these maybe it can be developed later and we hope this programme can provide exposure and offer more new products to international tourists," he said.
Barnama
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Barnama
Tourism Malaysia Organising Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025, Prizes Worth RM100,000 Await Winners
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through Tourism Malaysia, is organising the 'Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025' photo and video competition from June 1 to 31 August 31, as part of efforts to intensify the promotion of tourism destinations in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (TMM2026). Its deputy minister, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, said the tourism-themed competition is open to all Malaysians, foreign residents and international visitors with a total prize pool of RM100,000. He said participants have the opportunity to win four main prizes, namely RM15,000 for the photo category and RM25,000 for the video category for phone users, as well as RM25,000 (photo category) and RM35,000 (video category) for camera users. Participants of the Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025 need to submit photos or videos online, along with copies of receipts as proof of travel activities, such as accommodation at registered and licensed premises, purchase of tickets to tourist attractions or booking of domestic transport tickets dated between Jan 1 and Aug 31, 2025. 'This competition is among the high-impact initiatives in intensifying the country's tourism promotion efforts creatively and to encourage domestic and international visitors to promote the beauty of Malaysia through photos and videos on their social media channels,' he said He said this in his speech at the launch of Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025, which was read out by MOTAC Deputy Secretary-General (Culture) Datuk Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff, at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTIC) here, today. According to Khairul Firdaus, Tourism Malaysia is also holding a 'Fam Trip' programme for local and ASEAN influencers from June 13 to 15 by receiving sponsorship of 10 cars from Perodua to introduce interesting tourist destinations. Later, at a press conference, Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director-General (Promotion II) Lee Thai Hung said the Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025 can also provide exposure and promotion to interesting destinations in the country, especially those that are not known to many. "Maybe Malaysians themselves do not know about the existence of these maybe it can be developed later and we hope this programme can provide exposure and offer more new products to international tourists," he said.
Barnama
19-05-2025
- Barnama
Kuala Sungai Melaka Bridge Mural Is Langkawi's New Tourist Attraction
LANGKAWI, May 19 (Bernama) -- The creation of a large-scale mural highlighting the Langkawi Geopark has transformed the Kuala Sungai Melaka Bridge into a new tourist attraction on the island. Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said the new attraction was the result of a collaboration between the National Art Gallery Langkawi Branch and the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) under a special programme held in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA'25). 'This is among the initiatives taken to beautify all tourist areas, which is why 12 local artists painted murals such as 'Trilobite', 'Pink Dolphin' and the eagle, all of which are synonymous with Langkawi. 'Tourists can stop on both sides of the bridge to take photos with the murals in the background, accompanied by scenic views of Gunung Mat Chincang and Sungai Melaka,' he said after the Kuala Sungai Melaka Bridge Beautification Programme today. Meanwhile, National Art Gallery director-general Amerrudin Ahmad said the project took two weeks to complete, involving several phases such as cleaning, painting and mural production. 'This programme involves the participation of 12 local mural artists, namely Dhiyaul Mohamad Ashraf Dawari, Muhammad Firdaus Musa, Muhammad Riduan Raja Yunus, Muhammad Syafiq Mohd Adib, Muhammad Izwan Rahimi, Norafandi Rosli, Hardiana Hidayah Azni, Abdul Qoyyum Mohd Nadzri, Mohammed Nabil Sohaini, Fauzan Adzima Pangestu Padzli, Mohamad Fakhri Mohd Salleh and Muhammad Izharuddin Mohd Salleh. 'This approach not only enhances public understanding of visual arts but also fosters a sense of responsibility to preserve and appreciate public spaces as shared assets. It reflects the National Art Gallery's ongoing commitment to bringing art closer to the community and promoting cultural heritage through an inclusive, contemporary and educational approach,' he said. Amerrudin expressed hope that the programme would add vibrancy to LIMA'25 while also promoting Langkawi as an island rich in artistic and cultural values, in line with the Visit Kedah 2025 and Visit Malaysia 2026 campaigns. In the meantime, LADA chief executive officer Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid said the bridge was chosen due to its strategic location as the main tourist route and for its potential to be developed into a public art space that could enhance visitors' cultural and visual experiences.
