SARAWAK is now drawing up rules and laws to regulate its growing Airbnb-like property rental industry, said Abang Johari Openg.

The chief minister said he has directed the state housing and local government and the tourism ministries to jointly draw up the regulations.

“We don’t have one (law or regulation) on this new trend,” he said at the launch of the Pandelela block of P Residence, a condominium in the Kuching satellite township of Batu Kawa today.

The block is named after Sarawak-born national diver Pandelela Rinong.

In naming her their “residence ambassador”, the developer has also given her a fully furnished three-bedroom unit on the sixth floor of the block for free.

The chief minister said the two ministries will study the laws and experiences from other countries, including from neighbours Singapore and Indonesia, to formulate legislation most suited to the state.

“The state needs to license these accommodations,” Abang Johari said.

He said the question of safety is a priority that the law needs to address.

The growing number of Indonesians seeking specialised medical treatment and the possibility of a spike in numbers when Indonesia shifts its capital to Kalimantan has seen Airbnb-like accommodations sprouting, particularly in unused apartments and condominiums.

“They need accommodations when accompanying their sick relatives or kinfolk. It’s not particularly appealing and could be expensive when travelling in a large group, like a family,” Abang Johari said.

Meanwhile, the chief minister also said the government is revisiting an old policy to cater to the accommodation needs of rural folk who are accompanying hospitalised relatives in cities or towns.

Abang Johari said lodging houses will be built to offer “cheap” accommodations to them.

He said in Kuching, a site for the lodging house has been identified.

“We can’t make them sleep on the corridors of the hospital.”

In the 60’s these “longhouses” are often seen in major towns before the policy was scrapped and the houses torn down due to poor maintenance. – January 4, 2020.