ALOR GAJAH: 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 in the sector as well as discussions with the management bodies in housing estates.”
She said the issues involve the housing and local government ministry together with the tourism, arts and culture ministry, the state government and the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC).
“We must find a way how we can standardise the rules as a whole,” she told reporters after the inauguration ceremony for the Taman Murai Jaya community hub in Durian Tunggal here today.
On Monday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economic Affairs) Mustapa Mohamed was reported as saying 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.
Zuraida also announced an allocation of RM300,000 to the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) to implement flood mitigation projects.
Meanwhile, she said the community hub project would be extended nationwide, with at least one project in each local authority to help the urban poor and low-income groups.
Earlier, the Taman Murai Jaya community hub project was officiated by the state Housing, Local Government and Environment Committee chairman Abdul Ghafar Atan.
The project, which cost RM50,000, consists of a mini library and learning space, a garden and provision of bicycles for the use of residents.
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.