KOTA KINABALU, 18 May 2016: Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) inbound vice president Datuk Tan Kok Liang welcomes the announcement that the crackdown on unlicensed tour vans will shift to illegal tour buses.
Tan said “The clampdown on unlicensed tour vans was highly successful and the maximum fine of RM50,000 imposed by the Sabah Sessions Court on Dec 22 last year had driven fear among illegal operators. The close collaboration between NGOs and MOTAC Sabah office allows information to be channelled to the enforcement division for swift action to be taken".
“The warning by MOTAC Sabah office director Ag Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar that tour operators making use of charter buses for ferrying tourists could face fines of up to RM20,000 should be taken seriously.”
“This is because it is forbidden for tour operators to hire vehicles other than tour buses under the Tourism Vehicle Licensing Act. MOTAC Sabah is working with the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) to establish a guideline for charter buses to be used in the tourism industry that is in compliance with existing laws.”
Tan urged CVLB to revoke the permits of charter buses used for transporting tourists and forward the information to MOTAC for action to be taken under the Tourism Vehicle Licensing Act. The industry cannot have two set of laws contradicting one another and policies set by CVLB should not undermine the tourism industry.
He added, “The system becomes a mockery when tour buses are left idle and charter buses are used for transporting tourists. It would be better to streamline the use of charter buses nationwide. For example in peninsula Malaysia, the Land Public Transport Commission has not issued any new charter permits or renewed any. Charter buses will be phased out upon the expiry of current permits.”
“As long as tourist guides are mandatory under the regulations, tour operators should not circumvent the ruling by using charter buses where enforcement had been almost non-existent. Tour operators must compete on a level playing field and in full compliance with the law, and those flouting rules should be penalised, including tourist guides acting as tour operators selling tour packages.”
“Existing contracts between tour operators and charter bus companies are non-binding as illegal services are automatically invalidated by law. Those who do not heed the warning issued by MOTAC will pay a heavy price and MATTA members that are in contravention of regulations will be expelled”, cautioned Tan.