Latest news with #DBKK
Daily Express
19 hours ago
- General
- Daily Express
DBKK urges public cooperation via ‘My City, My Responsibility'
Published on: Wednesday, July 02, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 02, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: City Hall (DBKK) held the closing ceremony of the My City, My Responsibility 1.0 (MCMR) awareness campaign, last Sunday. The ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Director General (Operations) of DBKK, Robert Lipon (pic), representing Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah. It marked the culmination of a campaign that was launched on Feb 3. He said this campaign is proof of City Hall's commitment to raising public awareness about the collective responsibility to maintain the cleanliness of the city. 'The objective of this campaign is to educate the community to be more responsible in maintaining the cleanliness of the city and making it a clean, green and liveable city, in addition to increasing the public's awareness of the importance of preserving and conserving the environment. 'This is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG 17), namely Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), Goal 6 (Clean water and sanitation), Goal 14 (Life in water) and Goal 15 (Life on Land),' he said during the inauguration ceremony at Palm Square, Centre Point. Various events were organised, including the 'MCMR Slogan' TikTok Competition, 'Treasure Hunt' Competition, Colouring and Poster Drawing Competition, Guessing the Amount and Weight of Cigarette Butts Competition, Used Clothes Upcycling Competition, Environmental Quiz, Health and Environment Exhibition, and Kids Fashion Show. In addition, the Household Recycling Competition is being held for the first time to encourage waste separation and recycling practices starting at home. Robert said participating residents have been sending recyclable waste such as plastic bottles, paper, cans, and cooking oil to the Kota Kinabalu Sustainable Centre located at the Community Hall. A total of more than two tonnes of recycled waste have been successfully received in this activity, marking a 100% increase compared to last year. 'This record clearly indicates a significant improvement in public awareness regarding the daily separation of household waste. It also demonstrates the potential for waste materials to serve as a valuable financial resource when managed correctly,' he said. In addition, the Kampungku Bersih challenge was held in conjunction with City Hall's 24th anniversary celebrations. This competition aimed to foster social awareness among villagers in the city through ongoing campaigns and cleaning activities. The winner of the challenge was Kampung Kobuni, with Kampung Binaung and Kampung Kokol securing second and third places, respectively. These villages are now recognised as 'Clean and Green Villages'. 'I hope that the programme held this time will be a good start to creating a quality environment, further achieving the mission and vision of DBKK,' Robert said. Also present to enliven the ceremony were the Leasing Executive for the management of Center Point Sabah Oliver, Lim Kok Fueh; Director of the Solid Waste Management Department as the Organizing Chairman, Leong Tze Fui, and the heads of DBKK departments. * 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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Hotel operators want DBKK to address two-tiered system
Published on: Tuesday, July 01, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 01, 2025 Text Size: Ganesh and Harold posing in a group photo. Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) wants Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK) to address what it calls a two-tiered system that disadvantages legitimate hotel operators while allowing illegal accommodation providers to operate freely. The association pointed out a major unfairness in the system whereby licensed hotels have to pay hefty fees and pass regular government inspections, while unlicensed Short-Term Residential Accommodation (STRA) operators face no such costs or checks. 'It is unacceptable that while licensed hoteliers pay high fees and comply with safety regulations, illegal STRA operators are allowed to operate unchecked,' said MyBHA's National President Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel. 'This creates an unfair and unsafe tourism environment for both businesses and tourists,' he added. MyBHA said many unregulated STRA units listed on digital platforms lack basic fire safety, security and emergency protocols. The association expressed concern that tourists may unknowingly book unsafe accommodations with little recourse in case of incidents and is thus calling on DBKK to implement several measures, namely, tiered licensing structure, fee review, transparency, enhanced enforcement and public awareness. 'Review and introduce a tiered hotel licensing fee structure that includes a lower rate for budget accommodations particularly those serving domestic travellers and Sabahans visiting Kota Kinabalu,' the association said. 'This approach recognises their vital role in supporting local tourism and ensuring affordable lodging options for all segments of society. 'Reconsider the recent increase in hotel licensing fees and explore alternative models of tourism taxation such as a nominal tourist tax or bed levy paid directly by tourists upon check-in which is a more equitable approach commonly used in other global destinations. 'Ensure transparency by disclosing how licensing revenue is reinvested into tourism development and safety and deploy more tourist police in key areas to strengthen visitor confidence and handle tourist-related issues. 'Establish a dedicated enforcement unit within DBKK to clamp down on illegal STRA operators and protect consumers, launch public awareness campaigns to tourists can easily identify licensed vs unlicensed accommodations. 'Work closely with industry stakeholders, including associations like MyBHA, to co-create policies that drive equitable and sustainable tourism,' they said. Sabah MyBHA Chairman Harold Chung said every cent collected through licensing should be accounted for and channelled back into tourism infrastructure, safety and promotion. The association also praised the recent Community-Based Tourism Conference and Expo 2025, held at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, which showcased how local communities can drive tourism innovation. MyBHA reaffirmed its commitment to working with DBKK and other agencies to create what it calls a vibrant, regulated and competitive tourism industry where tourists feel safe and operators feel fairly treated. The association represents licensed budget and business hotels under three stars throughout Malaysia and is a member of both the Malaysian Tourism Federation and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. * 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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
DBKK urged to rectify tourism, hospitality industry imbalance
Ganesh (second right), Harold and delegates at the Community-Based Tourism Conference & Expo 2025, held at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall. KOTA KINABALU (June 30): The Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) is urging Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) to take immediate and balanced action in addressing two critical issues affecting the tourism and hospitality sector: the excessively high hotel licensing fees and the lack of enforcement on illegal short-term residential accommodation (STRA) operators. Currently, licensed hotel operators are subject to hefty licensing costs, mandatory inspections and strict compliance requirements. However, many unlicensed STRA operators continue to function without regulation undermining the industry, evading local taxes and jeopardising tourist safety. 'It is unacceptable that while licensed hoteliers pay high fees and comply with safety regulations, illegal STRA operators are allowed to operate unchecked. This creates an unfair and unsafe tourism environment, not only for businesses but for the tourists themselves,' said Dr Sri Ganesh, the national president of MyBHA. These unregulated STRA units, frequently listed on popular digital platforms, often lack basic fire safety, security and emergency protocols. Tourists may unknowingly book unsafe accommodations and in the event of incidents, there is little accountability. To address these concerns, MyBHA calls on DBKK to: • Review and introduce a tiered hotel licensing fee structure that includes a lower rate for budget accommodations, particularly those serving domestic travellers and Sabahans visiting Kota Kinabalu. This approach recognises their vital role in supporting local tourism and ensuring affordable lodging options for all segments of society; • Reconsider the recent increase in hotel licensing fees and explore alternative models of tourism taxation such as a nominal tourist tax or bed levy paid directly by tourists upon check-in which is a more equitable approach commonly used in other global destinations; • Ensure transparency by disclosing how licensing revenue is reinvested into tourism development and safety; • Deploy more tourist police in key areas to strengthen visitor confidence and handle tourist-related issues. • Establish a dedicated enforcement unit within DBKK to clamp down on illegal STRA operators and protect consumers; • Launch public awareness campaigns so tourists can easily identify licensed vs unlicensed accommodations; • Work closely with industry stakeholders, including associations like MyBHA, to co-create policies that drive equitable and sustainable tourism. 'Sabah's tourism potential is immense, but it must be supported by a regulatory framework that upholds safety, fairness and quality, Every cents collected through licensing should be accounted for and channelled back into tourism infrastructure, safety, and promotion,' said Harold Chung, chairman of MyBHA Sabah. MyBHA would also like to congratulate the Sabah Tourism Board, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Tourism Productivity Nexus (TPN), Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and all involved for the successful organisation of the Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Conference & Expo 2025, held on June 28–29 at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall. With the theme 'Building Resilient and Sustainable Communities that Innovate and Transform Tourism,' the event was a powerful showcase of how local communities can drive meaningful change in the tourism sector. As Sabah including Kota Kinabalu continues to position itself as a leading tourism destination, DBKK is encouraged to recognise and support the diversity of tourism sectors including CBT, urban tourism, and licensed budget accommodation through inclusive policies that ensure growth, safety and sustainability for all. MyBHA reaffirms its commitment to working collaboratively with DBKK and other agencies to create a vibrant, regulated and competitive tourism industry where tourists feel safe, and operators feel fairly treated.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Express
What happens to the rats after campaign ends?
Published on: Sunday, June 29, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 29, 2025 Text Size: Fighting rats isn't just about numbers; it's about prevention. And that starts long before the traps are laid. CITY HALL's (DBKK) new initiative to offer RM2 for every rat caught as part of a year-long rodent control campaign may seem like a creative solution, but it ultimately raises more questions than confidence. While the campaign, launched at the Central Market, aims to curb infestations and prevent diseases like leptospirosis, the idea of monetising pest control feels more reactive than strategic. Rats in urban areas are not just a nuisance — they're a symptom of deeper, systemic issues: poor waste management, unsanitary conditions and lack of consistent enforcement on cleanliness in public spaces. Offering financial incentives might lead to short-term reduction in rodent sightings, but it also opens the door to unintended consequences. Could people begin catching rats elsewhere just to profit from the scheme? Worse, might this distract from the city's responsibility to maintain hygiene standards year-round? What happens after July 31? The rats will be back unless the root problems are fixed. Cleanliness cannot be reduced to a seasonal campaign or one-off public clean-up — it requires long-term planning, daily upkeep, and stronger enforcement. City Hall's intentions may be good, but cleanliness should not depend on RM2 rewards It should be ingrained in daily operations and upheld through consistent infrastructure improvements, education, and accountability. Fighting rats isn't just about numbers; it's about prevention. And that starts long before the traps are laid. Curious girl The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
