By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 19: A tourism company in Penang has been fined RM7,000 for failing to employ licensed tour guides while conducting domestic tourism activities, highlighting the government’s strict enforcement of tourism regulations.
According to a statement issued by Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture (MOTAC) on Monday (Nov 17), the decision was handed down by the Criminal Magistrate Court 1, Georgetown, Penang after the company pleaded guilty to the offence.
Magistrate Nur Fadrina Zulkhairi convicted the company under Regulation 6(1)(i)(iii) read together with Regulation 6(2) of the Tourism Industry (Tourism Operations and Travel Agency Business) Regulations 1992 [P.U.(A) 333/1992].
The Court imposed a fine of RM7,000, with a warning that failure to pay the fine could result in one month’s imprisonment.
The prosecution was conducted by Nurul Hidayah Aman, assisted by Revathy Muruvin from MOTAC Penang office.
The ministry stressed that offences under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 [Act 482] and its regulations are serious criminal violations.
“MOTAC will continue to take strict action against any company that breaches the law, particularly involving the use of tour guides, which could jeopardise both the safety and reputation of Malaysia’s tourism sector,” it said. — DayakDaily
