Check-in, check-out times for hotels, guesthouses falls under local state authorities

Tiong speaking in Parliament. Photo credit: Information Department (JaPEN)

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 23: The issue of establishing check-in and check-out times for guesthouses and accommodations falls under the jurisdiction of the state governments, not the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC).

According to a news report by TVS, Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing explained that the regulation of guesthouses and accommodation is managed by the local authorities (PBT) in each state.

“The Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482) outlines the requirements for the registration of tourist accommodation, including hotels. However, the regulation and enforcement of hotel operations do not fall under MOTAC’s jurisdiction,” he stated during a question-and-answer session in Parliament today.

He was responding to a question from Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal regarding the ministry’s commitment to closely monitor issues related to hotel operators’ check-in and check-out times.

This follows public concerns over local hotels arbitrarily changing these times.

Tiong said that MOTAC held an engagement session with hotel operators on Oct 17, 2024, to discuss check-in and check-out issues, which partly stem from a shortage of housekeeping staff.

“This session aims to strengthen hotel operations. MOTAC will continue discussions with the state governments, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), and the local authorities.

“These discussions will assess the feasibility of incorporating provisions related to licensing and regulating hotel operational procedures into the Tourism Industry Act,” he explained.

Furthermore, MOTAC will meet with the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Home Affairs to address the labour shortage, including the recruitment of foreign workers in the hospitality sector.

Tiong emphasised that these measures are intended to ensure high service quality in accommodations, especially with the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.

On Sunday (Oct 20), he urged hotel operators to realign check-in and check-out times to guarantee that guests receive a minimum of 23 hours of accommodation each day.

He pointed out that a 23-hour stay is standard in many countries and does not compromise cleanliness or quality; rather, guests feel their expenditures are justified by the level of service provided. — DayakDaily