PETALING JAYA: New guidelines to regulate Short-Term Residential Accommodations (STRA) will be tabled in the Cabinet, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the guidelines will provide a comprehensive framework on the regulation of STRA.
“The guidelines will ensure compliance with current laws, facilitate licensing processes and overcome issues in the community such as noise, lack of parking lots, garbage disposal and misuse of facilities,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also chairman of the Tourism and Cultural Cabinet Committee, in a statement after chairing its meeting in Parliament yesterday.
He said STRA operators will be required to register and obtain an operating licence from local authorities.
It was also proposed in the meeting that a digital platform for STRA management be developed so that such facilities remain competitive.
He said it will ensure that public security is preserved and spur economic growth.
This is in view of the projection that alternative and affordable accommodation will be a catalyst for the tourism industry with 35.6 million tourists expected to arrive in 2026, he said.
Ahmad Zahid said the government has also decided that the Transport Ministry, through the Land Public Transport Agency, will regulate licensing for tour vehicles based on four criteria.
This includes ensuring the vehicles have valid Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business licences as well as GPS.
The vehicles must also not be over 15 years old and the operators must have undergone the Industrial Code of Practice.
“Such conditions will ensure that operators are operating legally to protect the safety of passengers,” he said.
He added that guidelines for a recreational vehicle park are also in the works.
Ahmad Zahid said cooperation between the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and other agencies is important to provide a conducive ecosystem for tourism to flourish.
He said this will ensure that any issues that emerge can be resolved immediately to prevent any confusion in terms of jurisdiction and enforcement to make the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign a success.
