SABAK BERNAM, Aug 9 — The state government will expand its homestay whitelisting exercise to Hulu Selangor to ensure operators are compliant and adhere to land use conditions, said state executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim.
He said the move follows pilot whitelisting projects in Sabak Bernam and Tanjung Karang, and that the exercise is necessary as some operators are occupying land without accommodation-use provisions.
“For the local authorities, we will streamline things, and in terms of the hotel industry, star ratings and cleanliness standards will be given attention, including in rural areas.
“Those that have not been whitelisted, we will whitelist them, including homestays... Some have land-use conditions that conflict, but to encourage the industry to continue operating, we need to whitelist them.
“In the first pilot project in Sabak Bernam, we whitelisted (homestays), including in Tanjung Karang. Next, we will extend it to Hulu Selangor and so on because there are many homestays,” he told reporters after officiating the “Heritage in the Kitchen: Bringing Together the Flavours of Javanese, Banjar and Bugis Cuisines” event at SK Seri Sekinchan yesterday.
Ng added that the whitelisting initiative is to help homestay operators fulfil minimum conditions, not burden them further.
While tabling the Second Selangor Plan (RS-2) on Friday, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the state would ensure its 12 local authorities achieve a score of at least 95 per cent under the Local Authority Star Rating System (SPB-PBT).
Previously, Ng said Sabak Bernam was the first district in Selangor to host the homestay whitelisting exercise, which allows operators to obtain licences and insurance coverage and provide visitors with better safety assurance.
“This project is intended to help the people, not make things difficult for the people. I know some operators may not feel comfortable because suddenly they have to pay this, pay that, and other things.
“But the (local) councils and state government mean to help and ensure (operators) comply with minimum standards so they have a licence and can buy insurance.
“If they can obtain insurance protection, when tourists come and stay, there is a guarantee. That is important because otherwise, when something happens, a mishap and such, the local authorities would be blamed,” he said.
There are 140 homestays identified for whitelisting in Hulu Selangor, with most built on padi fields and failing to meet licensing standards.
