SIBU: The Sarawak Central Region Hotel Association is prepared to assist the authorities to eradicate illegal activities in hotel rooms.
However, it wants a proper standard operating procedure (SOP) on raids or searches by government departments or agencies so that it will not affect the recovery of the hotel industry.
Chairman Loh Leh Chai said several complaints have been received by the association, especially from Kapit and Sibu members, regarding raids and searches in the wee hours.
“The agencies are not accompanied by female officers, and some do not wear uniforms and do not have search warrants. They demand the keys to the rooms. If the counter staff fail to comply, they threaten to handcuff and arrest them.
“Some even force open the rooms.Their behaviour is rude!” he said in a press statement yesterday (Jan 4).
Loh said the association fully supports the government’s efforts to promote the tourism industry in the country, especially in the central region of Sarawak.
“Therefore, we will assist in whatever way we can to eradicate illegal activities carried out in hotel rooms.
“The movement control orders (MCOs) had hit us hard. After the lifting of the MCOs last year, business is getting back to normal, but very slowly,” he said.
