DBKK urged to tackle illegal STRA, review high hotel licensing fees
Published on: Monday, June 30, 2025
Published on: Mon, Jun 30, 2025 Text Size: Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel (President MyBHA National) second from right. Harold Chung (Chairman MyBHA Sabah) second from left. KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) has called on Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK) to act urgently against illegal short-term residential accommodation (STRA) operators and review what it deems excessive hotel licensing fees. MyBHA President Dr Sri Ganesh said it is unacceptable that licensed hotel operators are burdened with high fees and strict compliance while unlicensed STRA units operate freely without regulation or accountability. 'This creates an unfair and unsafe tourism environment, not only for businesses but for the tourists themselves,' he said. The association proposed a tiered licensing system, lower fees for budget hotels, a tourist tax alternative, and better enforcement against illegal STRA. It also called for more transparency in how licensing revenue is used and urged DBKK to work with industry players to create fair, sustainable tourism policies. Sabah MyBHA Chairman Harold Chung added that licensing revenue should be reinvested into infrastructure, safety, and tourism development to truly benefit the sector. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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