Latest news with #TourismIndustryAct1992
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
New rules coming for Airbnb-style stays
KUALA LUMPUR: Draft guidelines for Short-Term Residential Accommodation (STRA), developed by the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) through PlanMalaysia, will be presented to the cabinet soon. Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said the guidelines would then be submitted to the National Council for Local Government. "Once approved, the guidelines will provide a more structured and sustainable framework for state governments and local authorities to coordinate STRA implementation. The rollout is targeted by the end of this year," he told the Dewan Rakyat. He added that, to better regulate the ecosystem of tourist accommodation and STRA premises, the ministry and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) had reached a consensus: STRA premises can only be registered as tourist accommodation after securing a business operating licence from the relevant local authority. "This requirement is crucial, as licensing and enforcement of accommodation premises fall under the jurisdiction of local councils," he said. Meanwhile, Khairul Firdaus said Motac is expected to table amendments to the Tourism Industry Act 1992 either at the end of this year or in early 2026. The amendment process has involved 54 engagement sessions attended by nearly 1,000 stakeholders nationwide, including representatives from ministries, agencies, NGOs and industry players from Sabah and Sarawak. "Among the proposed changes are improvements to licensing procedures, insurance protection, enforcement powers, digital platform registration, and the establishment of a Tourism Tribunal," he said. He was responding to a question from Aminolhuda Hassan (PH–Sri Gading), who had asked whether Motac and KPKT intended to align the Tourism Industry Act 1992 with the proposed STRA guidelines to avoid overlaps in authority between the two ministries, particularly as the guidelines have yet to be launched.
The Star
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
STRA draft guidelines to be presented to Cabinet soon, says Deputy Tourism Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: Short-Term Residential Accommodation (STRA) draft guidelines developed by the Housing and Local Government, through PLANMalaysia, will be presented for discussion at the Cabinet level soon, the Dewan Rakyat hears. Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan ( pic ) said it would then be brought to the National Council for Local Government. 'Once approved, it will be utilised by state governments and local councils to regulate STRAs in a more coordinated and sustainable manner. 'It is targeted for implementation by the end of this year,' he said during question time on Wednesday (July 30). Khairul Firdaus added that both his ministry and the Housing and Local Government Ministry had come to a consensus where STRAs can only be registered as tourist accommodation premises once they receive a business license from local councils. 'This is essential as the licensing matters fall under the jurisdiction of the respective local authorities,' he said. He added that more than 10 engagements have been held with stakeholders between January to August 2023. The deputy minister also said the ministry has completed a review of the Tourism Industry Act 1992, with amendments expected to be tabled anytime between the end of this year to early 2026. He said 54 engagements were held, involving almost 1,000 participants from various government agencies, non-governmental organisations and industry players from across Malaysia. Among the proposed amendments, he said, are licensing, insurance coverage, enhancing enforcement, digital registration platforms and the establishment of a tourism tribunal. He was responding to a question by Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading), who asked if the ministry, together with the Housing and Local Government Ministry, have plans to streamline the Tourism Industry Act 1992 with new STRA guidelines to prevent any overlap in terms of responsibilities.
Focus Malaysia
22-07-2025
- Focus Malaysia
How effective are MOTAC's enforcements?
RECENTLY, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) issued a media statement in its Facebook page regarding enforcement actions against unlicensed tourism activities. The media also reported that 22 enforcement actions were carried out nationwide in early July, and 13 notices for various offences were issued. A total of 180 vehicles, 30 tourism companies, four accommodation premises, and 33 tourist guides were inspected at key locations. MOTAC also acted on public tip-offs in Perak, investigating entities suspected of operating without valid licences. If convicted, the parties involved can face a maximum fine of RM500,000, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both, under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482). Unlicensed tourism service providers, including transport operators, accommodation providers, and tour organisers were urged by MOTAC to apply for licences immediately at the nearest state office to avoid penalties. The ministry also pledged to strengthen cooperation with enforcement agencies like the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. Public cooperation was encouraged, with reports on suspected violations accepted via the Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) here . This online channel is used for managing feedback such as complaints, appreciation, enquiries and suggestions from the public on the services of MOTAC. I too had personal encounters with tourism enforcement, but that was decades ago in the 1980s just before and after the Culture and Tourism Ministry was set up in 1987. I brought my family to Penang and joined other foreign tourists in a round island sightseeing tour. (Image: The Straits Times/Ariffin Jamar) While passengers stood up and ready to disembark at a local attraction, we were prevented from exiting by an enforcement officer from the Tourist Development Corporation (TDC). He was checking whether the tourist guide had a valid licence, a requirement since 1975. The TDC officer could have waited after passengers had gotten down from the minibus, which was a large van but with a roof lower than the height of an average adult. Therefore, I was stooping uncomfortably together with other passengers in the minibus while the overzealous enforcement officer conducted the inspection at his convenience with no regard for the comfort of visitors and the bad image created by coarse enforcement. After the Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business regulations were introduced in 1987, I placed a job advertisement in a newspaper without including my tour company licence number as required in all advertisements. After spotting my mistake, I quickly wrote to notify the new ministry. Instead of just accepting my explanation and apology, I was given an overly stern warning. Later, I realised that I should not have been too honest and straightforward, as the error would have gone unnoticed. In any case, legitimate operators are the one that suffer while unlicensed operators get away scot-free if enforcement is lacking, or non-uniform enforcement officers avoid cracking down on shady businesses but instead pick on vulnerable licensed companies for minor infringements. Therefore, the recent blitz on unlicensed tourism activities is like a breath of free air. A decade ago, I worked closely with the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) and Datuk Paduka Che Hasni Che Ahmad, a humble retired army major general, was the head of enforcement. He was professional, dedicated and active, and I was included in the group that often received texts of impending operations at targeted areas against errant taxi drivers. Unlike raids on vice dens, there is no danger of leaks allowing offenders to flee or the premises vacated in advance. For operations against unlicensed tourism operators, it would be much more effective for MOTAC to work closely with honourable travel and hotel associations. Apart from discussing unhealthy industry practices, it can also complement the shortage of enforcement officers. ‒ July 22, 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 : The Star/Azhar Mahfof
The Star
19-07-2025
- The Star
Tourism Ministry issues 13 notices in nationwide tourism industry crackdown
PUTRAJAYA: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has issued 13 notices for various offences during 22 enforcement operations conducted nationwide in the first two weeks of this month. The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, in a statement, said that the enforcement operations involved inspections of 180 vehicles, 30 tourism companies, four accommodation premises, and 33 tour guides at several key locations. It added that inspections were also conducted on entities suspected of operating tourism businesses without valid licences in Perak, based on public tip-offs. "If convicted, the parties involved can face a maximum fine of RM500,000, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both, under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482)," it said. The ministry also reminded individuals or companies providing tourism services, including transportation, accommodation, or the organisation of tourism activities, either physically or online, to immediately apply for a licence at the nearest state Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry office to avoid strict legal action. Additionally, the ministry said it will continue strengthening strategic cooperation with enforcement agencies such as the Road Transport Department, police, National Anti-Drug Agency, and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to ensure full compliance with tourism-related laws. The ministry also welcomed cooperation from the public and industry players to report any tourism activities suspected of violating regulations through the Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) at Arts and Culture - Bernama
New Straits Times
19-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Tourism ministry issues 13 notices in nationwide tourism industry crackdown
PUTRAJAYA: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has issued 13 notices for various offences during 22 enforcement operations conducted nationwide in the first two weeks of this month. The ministry, in a statement, said that the enforcement operations involved inspections of 180 vehicles, 30 tourism companies, four accommodation premises, and 33 tour guides at several key locations. It said that inspections were also conducted on entities suspected of operating tourism businesses without valid licences in Perak, based on public tip-offs. "If convicted, the parties involved can face a maximum fine of RM500,000, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both, under the Tourism Industry Act 1992," it said. The ministry also reminded individuals or companies providing tourism services, including transportation, accommodation, or the organisation of tourism activities, either physically or online, to immediately apply for a licence at the nearest state ministry office to avoid strict legal action. It said it will continue strengthening strategic cooperation with enforcement agencies such as the Road Transport Department, police, National Anti-Drug Agency, and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to ensure full compliance with tourism-related laws. The ministry also welcomed cooperation from the public and industry players to report any tourism activities suspected of violating regulations through the Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) at
