Perak government will begin strict enforcement action against hotel operators who continue to operate without a licence, starting January next year.
State housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng announced this yesterday at the Perak State Assembly sitting, stressing that the Perak Hotel Enactment 2023 registration amnesty period ended on June 30 this year.
She said operators were given ample guidance and opportunities to register their premises and meet licensing requirements during the amnesty.
“Local authorities have been issuing reminders and providing support to help operators comply.
“Notices will be issued to persistent (illegal) operators, and enforcement actions or fines will follow if they fail to comply within the specified timeframe,” she said in reply to Wong Chai Yi (PH- Simpang Pulai), who asked about enforcement details during the sitting at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan in Ipoh yesterday.
Ng said under Section 3(4) of the Enactment, those operating a hotel without valid licence faced a potential fine of up to RM100,000, jail for up to five years, or both.
Repeat offences may incur an additional fine of RM1,000 per day.
“There will be no tolerance for unlicensed operations, illegal premises and operators who deliberately disregard the Enactment,” Ng said, adding that the move aimed to ensure the accommodation sector operated in a safe, orderly and professional manner.
As of November this year, Ng said 1,221 premises across 15 local authorities have been registered, covering five categories, including high-end hotels, budget hotels, homestays and campsites.
However, data collected by local authorities showed that 1,587 premises have not yet registered.
Ng said the Enactment’s primary objective was to strengthen safety, hygiene and governance, fostering “safe tourism” and preventing undesirable incidents.
All registered operators, she said, were now required to meet safety standards such as providing first aid kits and fire extinguishers.
She said the registration process created a comprehensive database that would help registered owners promote their accommodations through state government campaigns.
“Ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026, the Enactment provides Perak with a competitive advantage by offering lawful, safe and standardised accommodations, boosting tourist confidence and stimulating growth in the state’s tourism sector,” Ng added.
