Standardisation of regulations, taxes for hotels and Airbnb to be finalised by year end

The standardisation of several issues including regulations, licensing and taxes involving the hotel sector and global online accommodation service provider, Airbnb will be finalised by the end of this year.

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the standardisation should take into account various aspects and determine the best methods that can be beneficial to both parties, as the Airbnb sector also has the potential to contribute to the national economy.

"The matter is still under discussion as to how we want to classify Airbnb and it takes into account the agreement to allow private homes to be involved with the sector as well as discussions with the management bodies in housing estates.

"It involves the Housing and Local Government Ministry together with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, the state government and the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC) to find a way on how we can standardise the issue as a whole," she told reporters after the Inauguration Ceremony of the Taman Murai Jaya Community Hub, Durian Tunggal here, today.

On Monday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economic Affairs) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed was reported to have said that the government would finalise the standardisation of a number of issues including regulations and taxes involving hotels and Airbnb in an effort to help the sector which was severely affected by COVID-19.

In another development, Zuraida also announced an allocation of RM300,000 to the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) to implement flood mitigation projects.

"The allocation includes the maintenance of the drainage system around the MPHTJ area due to frequent floods in the area and we hope these provision can indirectly help local authorities to improve the administrative system and services to the people," he said.

Meanwhile, she said the Community Hub Project would be extended nationwide with at least one project in each local authority to ensure that the agenda of empowering the urban poor, recipients (asnaf) and low-income groups can be carried out comprehensively.

Earlier, the Taman Murai Jaya Community Hub Project was officiated by the State Housing, Local Government and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Ghafar Atan.

The project which was developed at a cost of about RM50,000, consisted of a mini library and learning space, our garden project and a low-carbon initiative through the provision of bicycles for the use of residents to carry out leisure activities.

The Taman Murai Jaya Community Hub is the third project after the Beringin People's Housing Project in Kepong in 2018 and Taman Dagang in Ampang Jaya last year.

-- BERNAMA