Liew (seated, middle) with Wong (on her right) and members of the delegation. Second from right is Lai.
KOTA KINABALU: A Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Sabah/Labuan Chapter delegation led by its Chairman Hafizan Wong met with Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew over the restructuring of hotel accommodation and Lodging Act 1966 Fees beginning January this year, and its implications on the hotel sector.
The hoteliers aired their grievances to Liew, seeking her assistance in facilitating discussions with Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) over the new hotel licence fee structure proposed by DBKK.
Expressing their dissatisfaction, they urged the minister to liaise with the Mayor of Kota Kinabalu over the case at hand.
According to Wong, previously, hotel operators were required to pay a licensing fee of only RM10 per room per annum. Under the new fee structure, they now have to pay rates per occupied room per month, based on DBKK’s Hotel Classification category of first, second and third class, which increased cost burden and economic impact.
“Such a steep increase in costs may force some of us to reduce our services, lay off staff, or, in extreme cases, cease operations,” he lamented.
Also present were the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Deputy Permanent Secretary I Mary Malangking, Malaysia Budget Hotel Association (MYBHA) Sabah Chapter Chairman James Ong, Sabah Hotels Association (SHA) Deputy Chairman Felix Joikon and Exco members of MAH and MYBHA.
