Airbnb has today warned that Malaysia’s tourism recovery could be threatened by talk of proposed blanket bans on short-term rentals in strata buildings in Penang, Selangor and other states in Malaysia.

Prior to the pandemic, the Airbnb community in Malaysia made a significant contribution to the local tourism industry and economy. Research from Oxford Economics found in 2019 Airbnb guests spent a total of RM 4.4 billion (USD 1.1 billion) in Malaysia and supported more than 52,000 local jobs.

However, Airbnb’s role in helping kickstart Malaysia’s much-needed tourism recovery could be threatened by proposed blanket bans on short-term rentals in strata buildings. Earlier this year, Airbnb welcomed the Malaysia Productivity Corporation’s new guidelines for short-term accommodation, which provide an opportunity for the Malaysian government to simultaneously grow tourism and ensure compliance through responsible regulation.

“Airbnb believes all Malaysians should have the choice to responsibly and safely share their own home. We are strongly opposed to any unfair and heavy-handed blanket ban on short-term rentals in strata buildings,” said Mich Goh, Head of Public Policy, Southeast Asia, Airbnb. “The Malaysians who live in strata buildings rely on short-term rentals to earn extra income to pay the bills.”

“With economic recovery more important than ever, the key test for any policy must be – does it help grow the economy and create jobs for Malaysians? On that test, any proposal to ban short-term rentals in strata buildings fails. Blanket bans would have a devastating impact on the already weakened tourism industry. They threaten thousands of local jobs and the supplemental income that so many regular Malaysians rely on during these crucial times” she added.

By supporting clear and considered rules for short-term rentals in Malaysia that protect people’s choice to responsibly share their homes, while ensuring Joint Management Bodies and Management Corporations have appropriate oversight of short-term rentals in their buildings, Airbnb upholds its ongoing commitment to continue partnering with the Malaysian government and communities to spur tourism recovery.

The Penang Remand Prison and its staff quarters will be placed under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) from today (Oct 15), said Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday.

He said the decision was made on the advice of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and taking into consideration the spike in new COVID-19 positive cases involving the prison cluster.

The implementation of the CMCO, he said, would allow it to control movements in and out of the area as well as facilitate COVID-19 screenings.

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“The EMCO will involve a total of 2,830 individuals, comprising 2,306 inmates, 304 prison staff and their families living in the quarters as well as 220 other prison staff and their families who do not live there,” he said at a press conference from his home that was streamed live via the Defence Ministry’s Facebook page yesterday.

Ismail Sabri said that following the implementation of the EMCO, no movement in and out of the area would be permitted, while movement among prison staff would be determined based on the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the Prisons Department.

He also said that food and basic necessities would be distributed to the affected area and it would be coordinated by the North East District Disaster Operations Control Centre.

He also pointed out that inmates set to be released during the EMCO period would be isolated from others under remand.

“If the result of their test is negative, the inmates may be quarantined at a place to be decided by the Penang State Disaster Management Committee before being released.

“Those who test positive will be sent to hospital for treatment,” he said.

Ismail Sabri also said that police arrested 446 people yesterday for flouting the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).

Of the total, 407 were issued compound notices, 37 were remanded and two released on bail for offences which included not wearing face masks, failure to provide facilities for recording details of customers and conducting gambling activities.

Source: EdgeProp.my

The Penang State Government through the local authority (PBT) will issue a notice to stop homestay or Airbnb activities in residential areas.

Local Government, Housing Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Sing Deo said that the notice will also be issued for all modification and extension to the Airbnb unit.

“This notice will be issued under Section 27 (2) (a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 to stop activities carried out and restore land or buildings as before.

“For units involved with modification and extension, the notice issued is under the Roads, Drains and Buildings Act 1974.

“Therefore, demolition action will be taken on the units involved after the notice is issued,” he said when answering the question from Seri Delima State Assemblyman (ADUN), Syerleena Abdul Rashid at the Second Meeting of the 14th Penang State Assembly, just now.

Jagdeep said, for the strata building, the Council will advise the Joint Management Body (JMB) and the Management Corporation (MC) to make additional by-laws as stated in Section 32 (3) and Section 70 (2), Act 757.

“This is because there is no provision in act 757 related to the issue of homestay or Airbnb.

“Therefore, the JMB or MC is empowered under the section to make additional by-laws through a special resolution at the general meeting to regulate, manage the use of the strata property.

“Besides that, the JMB or MC can also impose a fine not exceeding RM200 on any owner who violates the by-laws,” he added.

According to Jagdeep, the State Government will also check with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) on the matter.

“The next action is to provide a complete set of guidelines for this activity, especially in residential areas,” he added.

Earlier, the Federal Court in the decision of the Innab Salil & Ors case. against Verve Suites Mont Kiara Management Corporation (2020) states that the management body of a share may prohibit any short-term lease on a flat from exercising its powers under Section 70 (2), Srata Management Act 2013 (APS).

Jagdeep said the paired road project, which connects Paya Terubong and Relau, is expected to be completed and open for public use in May 2021.

The Jalan Bukit Kukus landslide, which claimed nine lives on Oct 19, 2018, was once again brought up at the Penang State Legislative Assembly – this time over the fine of RM35,000 each imposed on the project director of the Paya Terubong paired road project and the construction company.

Lee Khai Loon (PH – Machang Bubuk) said he was shocked that the project director and the construction company were each fined RM35,000 for an amended charge of failing to provide safe working procedures on Feb 19 this year.

He then asked state Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh for his reaction on the amount of fine.

“Even as an exco member, if it is not right, then I will say so. It’s very unfair that nine lives were lost at a cost of RM70,000 and if you do the calculation, one life is worth less than RM10,000.

“So, we must take action at state and national levels – to amend the law or replace it. And I’m sure we’ll see something positive happening,” Jagdeep (PH – Datok Keramat) replied.

The charge, under Section 15 (1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, carries a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to two years or both, upon conviction.

Earlier, Jagdeep had told Joseph Ng Soon Siang (PH – Air Itam) that the Penang government, through the Penang Island City Council, had taken some steps to prevent such accidents from recurring.

He said one of the most important measures was that the main contractor has to hire independent checkers to monitor, supervise and take appropriate action for the safety of the public, public property and environment.

The main contractor, Jagdeep added, was also required to appoint certified consulting engineers for them to supervise and prepare construction plans for temporary earthworks at the site.

He also said all natural waterways at the site must be studied, maintained and channelled without affecting existing flows.

Source: Buletin Mutaira

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Penang will go ahead with its proposed cable car project to call for a Request for Proposal (RFP), said chief minister Chow Kon Yeow at the state legislative assembly today.

He said the project is expected to take between two to three years and the state will continue to promote Penang Hill as an eco-tourism site.

“For 2021, the state will allocate a total RM14.11 million for Penang Hill development,” he said when reading out the state budget 2021 today.

He added that the state government will continue to implement projects such as the Penang Hill Visitors’ Gallery, upgrading of the Astaka Bukit Bendera building and restoration projects for state-owned heritage bungalows such as Woodside, Convalescent and Fernhill.

“We will also upgrade infrastructure such as the Viaduct Road and the area between Lower Tunnel to Claremont,” he said.

Chow said the state had already implemented several projects on the hills such as the upper station upgrading works, slope stabilisation works, installation of anti-climb fence along the train tracks and a traffic management system.

As part of the state’s efforts to maintain Penang as a safe and interesting tourism destination, Chow said the state introduced a post Covid-19 accreditation system.

“This accreditation is to acknowledge any tourism industry player such as hoteliers and tourist product operators that had fully adhered to all SOPs and rules set by the state to stop the spread of Covid-19,” he said.

He said all tourism industry players who had fulfilled all health and cleanliness guidelines and SOPs will be given an official logo to be displayed at their premises for marketing and promotions.

As for heading towards digitalisation, Chow said the state allocated about RM1.19 million to implement the Digital Coach Scheme and Digital Promoter Scheme.

Source: MalayMail.com