LANGKAWI: The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) has pleaded to the Kedah state government to consider extending operating hours for entertainment outlets in Langkawi.
The move is meant to drive the tourism island's recovery post Covid-19 pandemic.
MAH Kedah and Perlis chapter chairman Eugene Dass said such a move was necessary given that the Langkawi tourism sector is still facing sluggish recovery despite the reopening of international borders in April.
"At the moment, as for the hospitality industry, we have yet to record a steady recovery. It is still up and downs.
"Hence, MAH Kedah and Perlis chapter wish to appeal to the state government to consider extending entertainment outlets' operating hours," he told the New Straits Times when contacted.
Dass was commenting on a circular dated Oct 30 issued by Langkawi District Office reminding entertainment outlet operators on their permitted operating hours on the island.
According to the circular, entertainment outlets in Langkawi may not operate during the month of Ramadan.
The circular also reminded them that the entertainment outlets are also not allowed to operate between 6pm Thursday to 2.30pm Friday, unless they have written permission from the state authorities.
According to the circular, the permitted operating hours for normal days is between 7pm and 1pm and up to 2am on Saturday.
The reminder was issued in accordance with a decision made by the state executive council on May 25, 2022 based on the Entertainment License.
Premises operators who defaulted the permitted operating hours risk having their license revoked under Section 16(1) of Entertainment Enactment and Entertainment Premises 1997, according to the circular.
Dass added that there was nothing new on the circular, as the regulations had been in place for as far as he could remember.
"I've been in Kedah for 17 years now. The rules have always been there. But the enforcement has always been flexible.
"I am unsure of the reason behind issuing the circular to remind the entertainment outlet operators, as the terms have been clearly stated in the license all this while," he added.
Nevertheless, Dass said it was about time for the state to consider relaxing the ruling to spur Langkawi tourism sector recovery, which contributes 90 per cent to the island economy.
"We have yet to record the full volume of direct flights to the island as it was to before the pandemic while the occupancy rate for hotels is still hovering around 50 per cent.
"We are already facing plenty of challenges, such as labour shortages and limited passenger ferry services trips to Langkawi.