Kota Kinabalu: A delegation from the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Sabah/Labuan Chapter, led by its Chairman Hafizan Wong, met with State 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.
AdvertisementThe hoteliers aired their grievances to Liew, seeking her assistance in facilitating discussions with 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.
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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, he pointed out, citing increased cost burden and economic impact.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Such a steep increase in costs may force some of us to reduce our services, lay off staff, or, in extreme cases, cease operations,” Wong lamented.
Also present were the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Deputy Permanent Secretary I Mary Malangking, Chairman of Malaysia Budget Hotel Association (MYBHA), Sabah Chapter, Deputy Chairman of Sabah Hotels Association (SHA) Felix Joikon, and Exco members of MAH and MYBHA.