By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has no plans to review the licensing fees under the Hotel and Lodging Houses By-Laws (Kota Kinabalu), 1966, nor to implement a phased collection of these fees.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir said this approach is taken to ensure uniformity of action across all classes of hotels and to facilitate the licensing fee collection process by Kota Kinabalu City Hall (KKCH).
“The State Government believes that the reinstated licensing rates are not burdensome to hotel operators, especially when compared to the fees paid by other small business operators,” he said.
He was responding to Datuk Wong Hong Jun (Warisan-Tanjung Aru) who asked why the government is delaying the review of hotel licensing fees for 6–8 months, considering that SME hotels (Class 2 and 3) are already facing serious financial pressure during the question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here yesterday.
Abidin said the actual licensing fee charged per occupied hotel room is only about RM4.65 per room per day for Class 1, RM2.65 per room per day for Class 2, and RM1.30 per room per day for Class 3. If the room is unoccupied, no fee is charged.
When compared to hawkers in night markets or market buildings around Kota Kinabalu City, who are charged RM3.00 per day per lot, the hotel licensing fees — RM2.65 per room per day for Class 2 hotels or RM1.30 per room per day for Class 3 hotels (if the room is occupied) — are still relatively low, he added.
“KKCH is required to enforce any legislation or regulations as stipulated by law, including the collection of licensing fees.
“The revenue collected from these fees will be utilised to enhance service delivery in a more proactive manner around the city, thereby ensuring Kota Kinabalu remains an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists,” he said.
