Kota Kinabalu: There are no plans to defer the revised hotel licensing fees enforced under the Kota Kinabalu City (Hotel and Lodging House) By-Laws 1966, nor to implement a phased collection approach, the Sabah Legislative Assembly was told today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Abidin Madingkir, stated that the decision aims to ensure consistent enforcement across all hotel categories and streamline the license fee collection process by Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK). The state government believes that the revised licensing rate will not burden hotel operators, especially when considering the rates imposed on 174 Class 2 and 3 hotel operators compared with small traders.

Abidin responded to an oral question from Datuk Junz Wong (Warisan-Tanjung Aru), who had raised concerns over the revised licensing fees in light of the financial pressures currently faced by Class 2 and 3 hotel operators. The licensing fees charged per occupied hotel room are RM4.65 per day for Class 1 hotels, RM2.65 for Class 2, and RM1.30 for Class 3. If a room is unoccupied, no fee is charged. In comparison, night market hawkers or traders at building markets within Kota Kinabalu are charged RM3 per day per lot, making the hotel licensing fees relatively modest.

Abidin further explained that the revenue generated from these licensing fees would be channelled toward enhancing the city’s service delivery efforts, thereby helping Kota Kinabalu maintain its appeal as a destination for both domestic and international tourists.