KUALA LUMPUR – Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, said recent enforcement action against tourism vehicles operating without licensed tour guides was aimed at protecting tourist safety and maintaining industry standards.
He said under the Tourism Industry Act 1992, all vehicles conducting tour itineraries and sightseeing activities are required to hold valid licences and engage certified tour guides when providing services to visitors.
“The driver’s duty is to operate the vehicle, while the tour guide’s role is to provide explanations and look after tourists’ welfare. These are two different responsibilities,” he said in a statement.
Datuk Seri Tiong stressed that the ministry does not encourage drivers to perform both roles simultaneously, as this could affect their concentration and increase safety risks on the road.
He said safety and professional division of duties must not be taken lightly, noting that Malaysia has recorded several road accidents involving foreign tourists in recent years, which have affected the country’s image and tourism growth.
“The safety of tourists and the development of the industry is a shared responsibility. We cannot allow irresponsible practices to continue,” he said.
Datuk Seri Tiong said the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) remains committed to ensuring that tourism operations comply with legal requirements and safety standards.
He explained that guidelines issued in 2009 allow administrative exemptions in certain cases, particularly for point-to-point shuttle services involving seven passengers or fewer and without sightseeing or guiding activities.
However, he said these exemptions do not apply to tour activities, stopovers or commentary, and operators carrying seven or more passengers must apply through the TOURLIST licensing system before any exemption can be considered.
Datuk Seri Tiong also warned that enforcement action is carried out strictly in accordance with the law and is not targeted at any particular party, adding that violations could result in fines, prosecution or licence suspension.
He said the ministry had also detected cases of “licence renting”, where some operators lease their licences to drivers or vehicle operators, describing the practice as unacceptable and subject to firm action.
At the same time, he said MOTAC remains open to constructive feedback from industry players and welcomes formal dialogue through official channels rather than public campaigns.
“Development of the tourism industry must be based on safety, professionalism and legal compliance to safeguard Malaysia’s reputation, especially ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026,” he said. -MalayaDailyToday
