‘Hold the power surcharge’

PETALING JAYA: Hoteliers are asking for a moratorium on the electricity surcharge, saying the new tariff has burdened industry players on the road to economic recovery.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) president Datin Christina Toh said the monthly energy bill for its members have increased by 20% to 30% due to the hike of electricity tarrif hike - from 3.7 sen to 20 sen per kWh surcharge - imposed on non-domestic users beginning this year

“Hotel operators are among the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We hope the surcharge can be put on hold for this year pending the revival of the sector,” she added when expressing the association’s wish in Budget 2023, which will be re-tabled on Friday.

Toh has also called on the government to provide incentives to hoteliers for the use of payroll support or to conduct training courses for employees.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) president Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel has urged the government to implement regulations for short-term residential accommodation (STRA).

He said its members are facing huge competition from the unlicensed STRA, which provides accommodation at a lower price compared to proper hotels.

He also urged the government to provide a special incentive for domestic tourists to encourage people to travel within Malaysia to stimulate the local tourism and hospitality industry.