Kuala lumpur: Any form of agreement, understanding, or collective decision by associations regarding price-setting, including minimum or ceiling fares, is prohibited due to its potential to harm the country's tourism market, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali stated. The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) is currently investigating the actions of the associations involved under Section 4(2)(a) of the Competition Act 2010.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living has expressed serious concern over a press conference conducted by the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA), which was also attended by three other associations and bodies. During this conference, new ceiling fare rates for tour buses and vans were announced, effective immediately. Minister Armizan emphasized the need for all parties to carefully consider their actions to ensure compliance with existing legal frameworks, despite the acknowledged impact of rising diesel prices on the industry.

Yesterday, MITA revealed that tour bus fares were now set at up to RM1,100 for series tours and between RM1,900 and RM2,200 for domestic day tours, while van rental costs could reach up to RM900 for series tours. The association argued that these new ceiling fare rates were intended to help operators and tourists adapt to the escalating diesel prices.

MITA further explained that the decision was made because tour buses, vans, and ferries were excluded from the national diesel subsidy mechanism following the removal of blanket subsidies in 2024.