01/10/2024

TUESDAY | OCT 1, 2024

3

Jakoa allocates RM4.3m for Orang Asli sports development IPOH: A total of RM4.3 million has been allocated by the Department of Orang Asli Development this year under the Human Capital Development Programme to provide opportunities for Orang Asli youths to engage in sports and fitness activities, as well as to promote a healthy lifestyle. Rural and Regional Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar said the programme also aims to foster closer ties among the 18 Orang Asli ethnic groups in Peninsular Malaysia through sports activities and to provide information on the rules and regulations of the sports being contested. “It also aims to enhance the physical health and fitness of Orang Asli youths through healthy competition and to cultivate a sporting spirit,” he said at the opening of the 2024 Orang Asli Sports Carnival at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjung Malim on Saturday. Muhd Khair Razman also highlighted that many athletes from the Orang Asli community have made a name for themselves at national and international competitions. “The latest is a 12-year-old boy from the Bateq ethnic group in Kampung Aring 5, Pos Lebir, Gua Musang, Sa’ap Baharom, who has been offered a spot at the Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) Academy by JDT’s head of talent search and youth development, Diego Griffa,”he added. – Bernama PUTRAJAYA: The National Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry launched the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) 2.0 yesterday, an updated framework aimed at guiding Malaysia’s transition towards a low-carbon economy. Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the policy reaffirms the country’s commitment to meeting its climate pledges. NCCP 2.0 serves as an umbrella policy, integrating all climate initiatives to provide a clear pathway for governance, low-carbon development, adaptation, climate financing and partnerships. “Although Malaysia contributes only 0.8% to global GHG emissions, we recognise that we are part of a global community and all must contribute to ensuring its safety,” he said during his speech at the Climate Change Forum 2024: Path to COP29 Baku, where NCCP 2.0 was officially launched. – Bernama Policy launched for low-carbon transition

Malaysian tourism hurt by inflexible hotel policies

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Strict check-in, check-out times pushing locals to seek better value and convenience in neighbouring countries

especially regarding drainage and irrigation in rice field areas.” Additionally, he expressed hope that the ministry’s initiative to make Sabah and Sarawak the country’s second rice granary, following Kedah, will come to fruition. “Yesterday (Sunday) I was in Miri, Sarawak. The Sarawak Premier announced the plan to make Sarawak the second ‘rice bowl’ with an initial allocation of RM500 million to address the rice shortage problem,” he said. – Bernama lowered their operating costs by having minimal staff and they have continued using this ‘contingency business model’ even in the post pandemic period. “Housekeeping is often viewed as a dirty, dangerous and difficult job, which discourages locals from taking up such positions. As a result, staff shortage has persisted, impacting the quality of services most hotels provide.” Mohd Hafiz said if this situation persists, it could also deter foreign tourists from visiting Malaysia as negative experiences tend to go viral, potentially affecting the tourism industry. However, Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) president Datin Christina Toh said the timings are defined when guests book their rooms. “If guests are satisfied with the conditions, they can proceed with their bookings, otherwise, they can look for alternative accommodations.” She said peak seasons, large group bookings, staffing challenges and unexpected absences can lead to adjustments in check-in and check-out timings. “Since there are no regulations mandating specific check-in and check-out times, I urge guests to appreciate the operational needs of the industry.” Toh also denied that the timings were revised to maximise profits and said they helped to ensure rooms were properly cleaned and prepared for the next guests. “The main goal is to provide a smooth and comfortable experience while managing logistical demands.” She stressed that MAH is aware that guests may perceive the new timings as unfair without fully understanding the housekeeping and room preparation processes. To address this, she said hotels strive to be transparent, communicate timing policies upfront and offer compensation if delays occur. “Most hotels work hard to ensure a positive experience. The priority is guest satisfaction. Timing adjustments are usually due to high occupancy or the need for thorough cleaning to ensure quality and safety, not to cause inconvenience.”

PETALING JAYA: It seems like the Malaysian tourism industry is shooting itself in the foot. About 100,000 Malaysians left for Southern Thailand during the long weekend in conjunction with Malaysia Day on Sept 16 instead of holidaying within the country. This contributed THB1 billion (RM127 million) to its economy. Netizens are now complaining that changes in Malaysian hotel check-in and check-out times are prompting more of them to travel abroad for holidays. UiTM Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management senior lecturer Prof Dr Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah said the standard check-in is usually between 2pm and 3pm, while check-out is at 12pm. However, netizens on X and TikTok have voiced concerns about hotels changing check-in times to 4pm, and bringing forward check

they are getting better value for their money at alternative destinations abroad, where they can enjoy comparable or better services at a lower cost, thus choosing them over Malaysian options. Mohd Hafiz pointed out that check-in and check-out times are not regulated by the Innkeeper’s Law or the Tourism Industry Act 1992, but are set by each hotel’s internal policy. He said although some hotels accommodate early check-in or late check-out requests, policy inconsistency across establishments can lead to frustration, particularly when such options are not guaranteed or clearly stated. “During the pandemic, hoteliers

out times to 11am. Mohd Hafiz

said

such

inconvenient significantly

policies

can

impact overall satisfaction, which means potential guests may skip Malaysian hotels and opt instead for short trips abroad. “As it is, our tourism industry faces challenges through increased competition from neighbouring countries that provide a more seamless experience for travellers. “If hotels continue annoying local guests with their inflexible check-in and check-out policies, more of them may decide to holiday abroad for convenience, causing Malaysia to lose out even more.” He said travellers might also feel

Mohd Hafiz said such inconvenient policies can significantly impact overall satisfaction, leading to guests opting for short trips abroad. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Govt to speed up flood aid for Kedah padi farmers PENDANG: The government will seek to expedite the distribution of initial aid through the Padi Crop Disaster Fund (PCDF) for farmers affected by the recent floods in Kedah. highest), vegetables, A total of 2,074 padi farmers and agricultural operators under the Kedah Agriculture and Food Security Ministry Inc, who were affected by the floods last month, received food baskets containing various essential items.

shortage in the country. As a long-term strategy to mitigate rice supply shortages, particularly due to natural disasters, the ministry will request that the government allocate about RM400 million in Budget 2025 to improve the infrastructure and drainage system for areas outside traditional rice-growing zones. “The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) has its own long-term project. We must also improve the infrastructure of areas outside the rice-growing zones,

land-based fishermen, whose ponds were destroyed by the flood, and cattle farms. “In early November, the prime minister will chair a meeting related to food security. Perhaps we can include the emergency flood situation in Kedah. The rice granary area of the country must be given special attention,”he said. He said this after presenting the Madani Food Basket to padi farmers, agricultural workers and cattle rearers affected by the floods at the C-III Tajar Area Farmers Association yesterday.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the preliminary loss estimate for the affected agricultural sector is about RM40 million. However, the ministry is still conducting a comprehensive study to determine the actual losses incurred. “The losses include rice crops (the

Mohamad noted that about 6,000ha of rice crop areas were impacted by flooding in mid September. The floods damaged rice fields that were ready to be harvested, contributing to the rice supply