KUALA LUMPUR: Short-Term Residential Accommodation (STRA) draft guidelines developed by the Housing and Local Government, through PLANMalaysia, will be presented for discussion at the Cabinet level soon, the Dewan Rakyat hears.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan (pic) said it would then be brought to the National Council for Local Government.
‘Once approved, it will be utilised by state governments and local councils to regulate STRAs in a more coordinated and sustainable manner.
“It is targeted for implementation by the end of this year,” he said during question time on Wednesday (July 30).
Khairul Firdaus added that both his ministry and the Housing and Local Government Ministry had come to a consensus where STRAs can only be registered as tourist accommodation premises once they receive a business license from local councils.
“This is essential as the licensing matters fall under the jurisdiction of the respective local authorities,” he said.
He added that more than 10 engagements have been held with stakeholders between January to August 2023.
The deputy minister also said the ministry has completed a review of the Tourism Industry Act 1992, with amendments expected to be tabled anytime between the end of this year to early 2026.
He said 54 engagements were held, involving almost 1,000 participants from various government agencies, non-governmental organisations and industry players from across Malaysia.
Among the proposed amendments, he said, are licensing, insurance coverage, enhancing enforcement, digital registration platforms and the establishment of a tourism tribunal.
He was responding to a question by Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading), who asked if the ministry, together with the Housing and Local Government Ministry, have plans to streamline the Tourism Industry Act 1992 with new STRA guidelines to prevent any overlap in terms of responsibilities.
