Nabil Luqman

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Social

Selangor

safety

tourism

sustainability

airbnb

operations

conservation

limitation

Selangor is preparing to tighten regulations on short-term rental accommodations, including Airbnb, with a new proposal that would limit such operations to just 180 days a year beginning January 2026.
The move, announced by Selangor State Executive Councillor for Local Government and Tourism Dato&rsquo; Ng Suee Lim, signals the state&rsquo;s intention to establish a more structured, fair and accountable system for the rapidly growing short-term rental industry.
Ng explained that under the proposed mechanism, operators will only be allowed to run their units for half the calendar year. Those wishing to continue operations beyond the 180-day limit will be required to apply for planning permits from their respective local councils.
The proposal follows years of complaints from hotel industry players who argued that short-term rental hosts enjoy an unfair advantage, as they are not bound by the same operational rules, taxes or safety standards as hotels.
Addressing &lsquo;Unhealthy Competition&rsquo; and Ensuring Safety
&nbsp;<img src="https://r2.myc.my/81ac5a94820801a5af1ca92edbbccf2c6d1d15938507c8f088730f6fce549b30" />
According to Ng, the move is not intended to penalise Airbnb hosts but rather to introduce fairness and proper oversight.
&ldquo;Hotels must comply with various regulations and pay multiple fees, but short-term rental platforms operate without any structured mechanism. This has created unhealthy competition in the market,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If Airbnb operators want to operate all year round, then they must obtain planning permission from the authorities.&rdquo;
The state also sees the new rule as an important step towards guaranteeing safety for guests. Selangor aims to launch a whitelisting system, requiring operators to be registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC). This would allow the state to better monitor operators, enforce standards and ensure they pay the necessary duties.
Implementation Depends on Federal-Level Guidelines
&nbsp;<img src="https://r2.myc.my/459b09070e9a2d539500b73d0f6460f0a1161ddb0d302352f54b32b4d6388757" />
While Selangor has outlined its intended direction, the state government will only finalise its decision once the Federal Government releases the national Short-Term Residential Accommodation (STRA) guidelines, expected next month. These guidelines, prepared by the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) and PLANMalaysia, will form the basis for standardising STRA regulations across the country.
Ng emphasised that the state will conduct a comprehensive study before making the ruling official, noting that any required amendments&mdash;whether policy shifts or legislative updates&mdash;would later be presented at the State Executive Council meeting or brought to the state assembly.
A New Sustainability Fee for All Accommodation Types
&nbsp;<img src="https://r2.myc.my/cf130bb2f662d4d224fbac96a7372c93c55be8160e74481899fc03c7c0766624" />
Alongside the operational limit for Airbnb, Selangor is also set to introduce a sustainability fee beginning 1 January 2026. This fee will apply to all forms of paid accommodation, including hotels, homestays and Airbnb units.
The fixed rates are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Five-star hotels &ndash; RM7</li>
<li>Four-star hotels &ndash; RM5</li>
<li>Three-star hotels &ndash; RM3</li>
<li>Homestays or Airbnb &ndash; RM2</li>
</ul>
Ng assured that the fee is deliberately set at an affordable level so it does not burden tourists. He noted that the practice is not new, as states such as Penang, Melaka, Pahang, Perak, Langkawi and Negeri Sembilan have already implemented similar tourism or heritage duties.
Revenue to Support Conservation and Tourism Development
Funds collected through the sustainability fee will be placed in a dedicated state-managed account, overseen by the State Secretary&rsquo;s office. The revenue will be reinvested into Selangor&rsquo;s tourism sector, focusing on:
<ul>
<li>Conservation of heritage sites</li>
<li>Maintenance and repair works</li>
<li>Tourism infrastructure upgrades</li>
<li>Development of future tourism programmes</li>
</ul>
Ng highlighted that tourism remains one of Selangor&rsquo;s fastest-growing economic contributors. The state is projecting up to RM15 billion in tourism revenue, driven by increases in overnight stays and visitor spending.
&lsquo;Surprising Selangor&rsquo; and Visit Selangor Year 2025
&nbsp;<img src="https://r2.myc.my/928dbf46881bdae80c8c64fb22b02033736842db157c2b0d3678f7846041481e" />
In tandem with these regulatory changes, Ng announced the continuation of the &ldquo;Surprising Selangor&rdquo; campaign&mdash;part of the larger Visit Selangor Year 2025 initiative. The programme will carry on into 2026, focusing on showcasing unique cultural offerings, promoting lesser-known destinations, and encouraging tourists to extend their visits.
He emphasised that the sustainability fee and stricter STRA guidelines are not merely bureaucratic measures, but part of a broader strategy to strengthen the tourism ecosystem.
&ldquo;Tourism grows only when the state takes deliberate steps to improve its offerings,&rdquo; Ng said. &ldquo;With proper regulation and reinvestment, we want to ensure that every action taken benefits the people of Selangor.&rdquo;
A Balancing Act for the Future of Tourism
As Selangor awaits the Federal Government&rsquo;s final guidelines, industry players&mdash;hotel operators, homestay owners and Airbnb hosts alike&mdash;are watching closely. The upcoming 180-day limit and sustainability fee mark a significant shift in how short-term rentals will operate in Malaysia&rsquo;s most developed state.
While concerns remain over how the changes may affect earnings or market competitiveness, the Selangor State Government maintains that the objective is to create a balanced, safe and sustainable tourism landscape that supports both economic growth and responsible operation.
With formal guidelines expected soon, Selangor is preparing to become one of the first states in Malaysia to introduce comprehensive, clearly defined rules for short-term accommodation &mdash; setting the stage for what could become a nationwide standard.
&nbsp;
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media &amp; various cross-references for context.
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The RM2–RM7 sustainability fee will be channelled into conservation and tourism development across Selangor.

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Selangor To Limit Airbnb Operations To Six Months A Year And Introduce Sustainability Fee From 2026

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Cornetto

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BIllie Eilish UMMY

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Coke Fifa

Selangor To Limit Airbnb Operations To Six Months A Year And Introduce Sustainability Fee From 2026

The RM2–RM7 sustainability fee will be channelled into conservation and tourism development across Selangor.

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