KUANTAN, The Pahang state government has confirmed receiving complaints that some traders at Medan Agro, Cameron Highlands, are facing significant rent hikes, with rates reportedly rising to RM7,500 per month.
State Human Resources and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Sim Chon Siang said his office received the complaints last week and would take immediate action if the rent increase is verified.
‘An investigation is underway. Let us complete it before providing a full response. We expect to have answers in about two weeks,” he told a press conference at the Malaysia International Tourism Expo Pahang 2024 held at the Sultan Ahmad Shah International Convention Centre here today.
Also present was State Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man, who officiated the event on behalf of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
Leong added that the state government, through relevant agencies, closely monitors prices, including at tourist locations, to ensure consumers are not unfairly
burdened by price increases.
“If we receive complaints, we expect prompt action to be taken. At the same time, we urge traders to cooperate, as we don’t want one bad apple to spoil the bunch,” he said.
Earlier, a local news portal reported that Penang Surplus Welfare Association chairman, Mohd Sophian Mohd Zain and his team visited Cameron Highlands after complaints surfaced that 35 traders at Medan Agro were facing rent increases from RM500 to RM7,500.
Meanwhile, when asked about complaints regarding 4pm hotel check-ins, Leong said such issues have not been reported in Pahang.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has informed us that check-in and check-out times are based on market demand and cannot be standardised across all hotels, as circumstances vary by location.
‘For example, at Tioman Island, ferry schedules affect hotel check-in and check-out times. However, we have not encountered 4pm check-ins in Pahang,” he added.
Recently, some hotels have come under criticism for setting che
ck-in times as late as 4pm and check-out times as early as 11am.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
