482 - *TOURISM INDUSTRY ACT 1992

LAWS OF MALAYSIA ONLINE VERSION OF UPDATED TEXT OF REPRINT Act 482 TOURISM INDUSTRY ACT 1992 As at 1 December 2020 2 TOURISM INDUSTRY ACT 1992 Date of Royal Assent … … … … 30 January 1992 Date of publication in the Gazette … … … … 20 February 1992 Latest amendment made by Act A1562 which came into operation on … … … … 1 January 2019 PREVIOUS REPRINTS First Reprint … ... ... ... 2001 Second Reprint … ... ... ... 2006 3 LAWS OF MALAYSIA Act 482 TOURISM INDUSTRY ACT 1992 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS PART I PRELIMINARY Section 1. Short title 2. Interpretation 3. Power to designate tourism training institutions 4. The Commissioner of Tourism PART II LICENSING OF TOURISM ENTERPRISES 5. Tourism enterprises to be licensed 6. Submission of application for licence to the Commissioner 7. Grant of or refusal to grant licence 8. Suspension or revocation of licence 9. Appeal 10. Surrender of licence 11. Effect of suspension, revocation, surrender or expiry of licence 12. Return of licence 13. Restriction on use of word “tour”, etc. 4 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 PART III REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES ON LICENSED TOURISM ENTERPRISES Section 14. Requirement to display licence 15. Duty to submit information and particulars relating to business operations 16. Inbound and outbound tours and other business activities 17. Notification of change of information 18. Requirements as to advertisement 19. Employment of licensed tourist guides 20. Use of excursion vehicles PART IV LICENSING OF TOURIST GUIDES 21. Persons providing services as tourist guides to be licensed 22. Register 23. Application for licence and qualification of applicants 24. Grant of licence 25. Validity of licence 26. Authorization card 27. Duties imposed upon licensed tourist guides 28. Suspension or revocation of licence 29. Effect of suspension or revocation of licence 30. Right to appeal 31. Surrender of licence and authorization card PART IVA REGISTRATION OF ACCOMMODATION PREMISES 31A. Accommodation premises shall be registered Tourism Industry 5 Section 31B. Application for registration as tourist accommodation premises 31C. Power of Commissioner to determine registration 31D. Register PART V GENERAL 32. Renewal of licence 33. Lost licences 34. Power of Minister to make regulations 35. Obligation of secrecy 36. Inaccurate declaration, etc. 37. General penalty 38. Liability of directors, etc. 39. Power to compound offences 40. Authorized officer 41. Power to investigate 42. Power to examine witnesses 43. Admissibility of statement 44. Search with warrant 45. Search without warrant 46. List of things seized 47. Additional powers 48. Obstruction of search, etc. 49. Prosecution 7 LAWS OF MALAYSIA Act 482 TOURISM INDUSTRY ACT 1992 An Act to provide for the licensing and regulation of tourism enterprises and for matters incidental thereto or connected therewith. [1 May 1992, P.U. (B) 199/1992] BE IT ENACTED by the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong with the advice and consent of the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: PART I PRELIMINARY Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Tourism Industry Act 1992. Interpretation 2. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— “accommodation premises” means any building, including hostels, hotels, inns, boarding-houses, rest houses, lodging houses, and other structures whether permanent or temporary, held out by the proprietor, owner or manager, either wholly or partly, as offering lodging or sleeping accommodation to tourists for hire or any other form of reward, whether or not food or drink is also offered; 8 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 “authorized officer” means an officer authorized by the Minister under section 40; “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Tourism appointed under section 4; “company” has the meaning assigned thereto by the *Companies Act 2016 [Act 777]; “excursion vehicle” means a vehicle used exclusively for the conveyance of tourists and in consideration of a payment which has no fare stages; “inbound tour” means a tour to or of Malaysia or any place within Malaysia; “licence” means a licence granted under this Act; “licensed tour operator” means a person licensed under subsection 7(1) to carry on or operate a tour operating business; “licensed tourism enterprise” means any tourism enterprise which is licensed under subsection 7(1); “licensed tourist guide” means a person licensed under subsection 24(1) to act as a tourist guide; “licensed travel agent” means a person licensed under subsection 7(1) to carry on or operate a travel agency business; “Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board” means the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board established under section 3 of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board Act 1992 [Act 481]; “Minister” means the Minister charged with the responsibility for tourism; *NOTE—This Act has replaced the Companies Act 1965 [Act 125]–see subsection 620(1) of Act 777. Tourism Industry 9 “outbound tour” means a tour to or of any place outside Malaysia; “person” includes a body of persons, corporate or unincorporate; “prescribed”, where no mode is mentioned, means prescribed by this Act or any regulations made under this Act; “tour” includes sightseeing, excursions, shopping, visits to places of interest or entertainment, and other activities normally undertaken by a tourist; “tour operating business” means any business of providing all or any of the following services: (a) arranging for sale or commission any transportation, accommodation, tour services or any other incidental services for tourists within or outside Malaysia; (b) organizing or conducting for sale or commission inbound or outbound tours; (c) providing conveyances for hire to tourists; (d) any other services incidental to any of the services enumerated above; “tourism enterprise” means— (a) any tour operating business; (b) any travel agency business; or (c) (Deleted by Act A1153); (d) (Deleted by Act A1153); (e) any business of providing tourism training institutions; 10 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 “tourism training institution” means— (a) an institution, centre or school that provides training or courses in respect of tourism services and management, including hotel and catering services; and (b) has been designated by the Minister under section 3 as a tourism training institution; “tourist” means any person, whether he is a Malaysian national or otherwise, visiting any place in Malaysia for any of the following purposes, namely— (a) pleasure, recreation or holiday; (b) culture; (c) religion; (d) visiting friends or relatives; (e) sports; (f) business; (g) meetings, conferences, seminars or conventions; (h) studies or research; (i) any other purpose which is not related to an occupation that is remunerated from the place visited; “tourist accommodation premises” means any accommodation premises which have been registered by the Commissioner under subsection 31C(1) as tourist accommodation premises; “tourist guide” means a person who renders service to tourists or any other persons by guiding them on tours for remuneration; Tourism Industry 11 “travel agency business” means any business of providing all or any of the following services: (a) selling, arranging or making available for commission, tickets entitling a person to travel on any conveyance either by land, sea or air; (b) selling, arranging or making available for commission, accommodation places within Malaysia or outside Malaysia; (c) any other services incidental to any of the services enumerated above; “Secretary General” means the Secretary General of the Ministry charged with the responsibility for tourism. (2) Any reference in this Act to “this Act” shall, unless otherwise expressly stated, be deemed to include a reference to any regulations, order, notification or other subsidiary legislation made under this Act. Power to designate tourism training institutions 3. The Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, designate any training institution as a tourism training institution for the purposes of the Act. The Commissioner of Tourism 4. (1) The Secretary General shall be appointed as the Commissioner of Tourism who shall be responsible for the general supervision of all matters relating to tourism under this Act. (2) The Commissioner may, in writing, delegate the exercise of any or all of the powers and functions conferred upon him by this Act to any public officer as he deems fit. 12 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 PART II LICENSING OF TOURISM ENTERPRISES Tourism enterprises to be licensed 5. (1) No person shall carry on or operate, or hold himself out as carrying on or operating a tourism training institution unless that person holds a valid licence granted under this Part. (2) No person shall carry on or operate, or hold himself out as carrying on or operating— (a) a tour operating business; or (b) a travel agency business, unless it is a company and holds a valid licence granted under this Part. (3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or to both, and in the case of a continuing offence, shall, in addition, be liable to a daily fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit for each day the offence continues to be committed. (4) For the avoidance of doubt, the *Education Act 1996 [Act 550] shall not apply in relation to a person carrying on or operating a tourism training institution. Submission of application for licence to the Commissioner 6. (1) An application for the grant of a licence under this Part shall be made in writing to the Commissioner in such form as may be determined. *NOTE—This Act has replaced the Education Act 1961 [Act 43 of 1961]–see section 155 of Act 550. Tourism Industry 13 (2) Every application under subsection (1) shall be accompanied by such documents or information as may be prescribed and the Commissioner may, at any time after receiving the application and before it is determined, verbally or in writing, require the applicant to provide such additional documents or information as may be considered necessary by the Commissioner for the purposes of determining the suitability of the applicant for the licence. (3) The requirements under subsection (2) may differ as between different applicants, or different classes, categories or descriptions of applicants. (4) Where any additional document or information required under subsection (2) is not provided by the applicant within the time specified in the requirement or any extension thereof granted by the Commissioner, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn and shall not be further proceeded with, without prejudice to a fresh application being made by the applicant. Grant of or refusal to grant licence 7. (1) The Commissioner shall, on an application having been duly made in accordance with section 6 and after being provided with all such documents and information as he may require, consider the application, and where he is satisfied of the suitability of the applicant, and upon payment of the prescribed fees, grant the licence with or without conditions, or refuse to grant a licence. (2) Every licence granted under subsection (1) shall set out the duration of the licence as may be prescribed and the licence number. (3) Any person who has been granted a licence under subsection (1) may apply for supplementary licences for branch offices or premises for carrying on or operating the same type of tourism enterprise for which he was licensed. 14 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 (4) Where the Commissioner refuses to grant a licence, he shall immediately notify the applicant in writing of his refusal. Suspension or revocation of licence 8. (1) The Commissioner may suspend or revoke a licence granted under section 7 if he is satisfied that— (a) the licensed tourism enterprise has failed to comply with any obligation imposed upon it by or under this Act; (b) the licensed tourism enterprise has contravened any condition imposed under the licence, any provision of this Act or any other written law, regardless that there has been no prosecution for an offence in respect of such contravention; (c) the licensed tourism enterprise has, either in connection with the application for the licence or at any time after the grant of the licence, provided the Commissioner with false, misleading or inaccurate information, document or declaration made by or on behalf of the licensed tourism enterprise or by or on behalf of any person who is or is to be a director, controller or manager of the licensed tourism enterprise; (d) the licensed tourism enterprise is carrying on its business in a manner which is prejudicial to the interest of the public, the tourism industry or to the national economy; (e) the licensed tourism enterprise has not transacted any business in respect of which it is licensed for any continuous period of six months or has ceased to carry on any of the businesses or operations for which it is licensed; (f) the licensed tourism enterprise has insufficient assets to meet its liabilities; Tourism Industry 15 (g) a winding up order has been made against the licensed tourism enterprise or a resolution for its voluntary winding up has been passed; (h) the licensed tourism enterprise or any of its officers holding a managerial or executive position has been convicted of any offence involving dishonesty, fraud or moral turpitude; or (i) the licensed tourism enterprise or its director, manager or controller has been convicted of any offence under this Act. (2) Before suspending or revoking a licence, the Commissioner shall give the licensed tourism enterprise a notice in writing of his intention to do so and require the licensed tourism enterprise to show cause within a period specified in the notice as to why the licence should not be suspended or revoked. (3) Where the Commissioner decides to suspend or revoke the licence, he shall immediately inform the tourism enterprise concerned of his decision by a notice in writing. (4) The suspension or revocation of a licence shall take effect— (a) where there is no appeal against such suspension or revocation, on the expiration of fourteen days from the date on which the notice of suspension or notice of revocation is served on the licensed tourism enterprise; or (b) where there is an appeal against such suspension or revocation, when the suspension or revocation is confirmed by the Minister. (5) Where an appeal has been made against the suspension or revocation of a licence, the licensed tourism enterprise whose licence has been so suspended or revoked shall not transact any new business 16 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 until the appeal has been disposed of and the suspension or revocation has been set aside by the Minister. (6) Any person who contravenes subsection (5) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both. (7) Where the suspension or revocation of a licence has taken effect, the Commissioner shall, as soon as practicable, cause such suspension or revocation to be advertised in at least one national daily Bahasa Malaysia and English newspaper or electronic media, as the Commissioner deems fit, for at least three consecutive days. (8) Any delay or failure in advertising such notice of suspension or notice of revocation shall not in any manner affect the validity of the suspension or revocation. Appeal 9. (1) Any person who is aggrieved by— (a) the refusal of the Commissioner to license any tourism enterprise under section 7 or to renew any such licence; or (b) the suspension or revocation of any licence under section 8, may appeal in writing to the Minister within fourteen days from the date on which the notice of refusal, suspension or revocation is served on that person. (2) The decision of the Minister under this section shall be final and conclusive. Tourism Industry 17 Surrender of licence 10. (1) A licensed tourism enterprise may surrender its licence by forwarding it, and any supplementary licence, to the Commissioner with a written notice of its surrender. (2) The surrender shall take effect on the date the Commissioner receives the licences and the notice under subsection (1), or where a later date is specified in the notice, on that date. (3) (Deleted by Act A1562). Effect of suspension, revocation, surrender or expiry of licence 11. (1) Where the revocation of a licence under section 8 or its surrender under section 10 has taken effect, or where the licence has expired, the licensed tourism enterprise shall immediately cease to carry on or operate any business in respect of which the licence was granted: Provided that the Minister may, on the recommendation of the Commissioner, authorize the licensed tourism enterprise in writing to carry on such business for such duration as the Minister may specify in the authorization for the purpose of winding up its affairs. (1A) Where the suspension of a license under section 8 has taken effect, the licensed tourism enterprise shall not transact any new business during the suspension period. (2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (1A) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or to both, and in the case of a continuing offence, shall, in addition, be liable to a daily fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit for each day the offence continues to be committed. 18 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 (3) Where a licence has been revoked under section 8, any supplementary licence thereto shall be deemed to be revoked. (4) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a licensed tourism enterprise whose licence has expired shall be entitled to carry on its business as if its licence had not expired upon proof being submitted to the Commissioner that the licensed tourism enterprise has applied for a renewal of licence. Return of licence 12. (1) Where the revocation of a licence under section 8 has taken effect, or where the licence has expired and no application for its renewal has been submitted within the period specified, the licensed tourism enterprise shall within fourteen days return the said licence, including any supplementary licence, to the Commissioner. (2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both, and in the case of a continuing offence, shall, in addition, be liable to a daily fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit for each day the offence continues to be committed, and the court shall retain the licence and any supplementary licence and forward them to the Commissioner. Restriction on use of word “tour”, etc. 13. Except with the written consent of the Commissioner, no person, not being a licensed tourism enterprise, shall assume or use the words “tourism”, “tour”, “travel”, “tourist agency”, “travel agent” or “tour operator”, as the case may be, or any derivative of these words in any language, or any other words in any language capable of being construed as indicating the carrying on or operation of such business, in relation to the business or any part of the business carried on by such Tourism Industry 19 person, or make any representation to such effect in any bill head, letter, paper, notice, advertisement or in any other manner whatsoever. PART III REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES ON LICENSED TOURISM ENTERPRISES Requirement to display licence 14. A licensed tourism enterprise shall at all times display its licence in a conspicuous place at its principal place of business and at every branch where the licensed tourism enterprise carries on or operates its business. Duty to submit information and particulars relating to business operations 15. (1) Without prejudice to subsection (2), a licensed tourism enterprise shall submit to the Commissioner such information and particulars including financial statements, audited balance sheets and profit and loss account relating to its entire business operations as may from time to time be required by the Commissioner within such time as he may determine. (2) Upon request by the Commissioner, a licensed tour operator or travel agent shall submit the following to the Commissioner: (a) itineraries for both inbound and outbound tours; (b) confidential and other tariffs; (c) details of business activities carried out by them including the charges for and the terms and conditions of such activities; 20 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 (d) details of any contract entered by them with any other local or overseas tourism enterprise; (e) names and particulars of licensed tourist guides employed by them either on full-time or part-time basis; and (f) registration numbers and particulars of excursion vehicles to be used for any tour. (3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both, and in the case of a continuing offence, shall, in addition, be liable to a daily fine not exceeding two thousand ringgit for each day the offence continues to be committed. Inbound and outbound tours and other business activities 16. (1) The Commissioner shall have the right to determine and impose from time to time the proportion of inbound and outbound tours to be undertaken by a licensed tour operator and may, with the approval of the Minister, grant to all outbound tour operators a grace period to be specified by the Commissioner from time to time to undertake the prescribed proportion of inbound tours. (2) The Commissioner may disallow any of the business activities of any licensed tour operator. (3) For all outbound tour packages, the licensed tour operator shall— (a) purchase insurance policy; or (b) cause a deposit in the form of cash or bank guarantee to be made to the Commissioner, as the case may be, as directed by the Commissioner. Tourism Industry 21 Notification of change of information 17. (1) Every licensed tourism enterprise shall, prior to the making of any amendment or alteration to any of its constituent documents, or prior to any change in its director or chief executive officer, furnish the Commissioner particulars in writing of any such proposed amendment, alteration or change. (2) Every licensed tourism enterprise shall immediately notify the Commissioner of any amendment or alteration to any information or document which has been furnished to the Commissioner in connection with the licence. Requirements as to advertisement 18. A licensed tourism enterprise shall not publish, whether in a newspaper, brochure or otherwise, any advertisement or information relating to or in connection with the business of a tourism enterprise without including— (a) the licence number; (b) the business name under which it carries on business and the address at which such business is carried on; and (c) any other particulars relating to any services offered as the Commissioner deems necessary. Employment of licensed tourist guides 19. (1) No licensed tourism enterprise shall employ, or obtain for a tourist or any other person the services of, a tourist guide who is not licensed under this Act or whose licence has been suspended or revoked. (2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 22 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both. Use of excursion vehicles 20. (1) No licensed tourism enterprise shall use or allow to be used any vehicle for the transportation of tourists on tours except excursion vehicles which has been duly licensed by the appropriate authorities for such purposes. (2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both. PART IV LICENSING OF TOURIST GUIDES Persons providing services as tourist guides to be licensed 21. (1) No person shall act, or hold himself out, as a tourist guide unless he is licensed under this Part. (2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding seven thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both, and in the case of a continuing offence, shall, in addition, be liable to a daily fine not exceeding five hundred ringgit for each day the offence continues to be committed. Register 22. The Commissioner shall cause to be kept and maintained a register of licensed tourist guides. Tourism Industry 23 Application for licence and qualification of applicants 23. (1) Any application for a licence under this Part shall be made in writing to the Commissioner in such form as may be determined and it shall contain, or be accompanied by, such information and documents as may be prescribed. (2) No person shall apply to be licensed under this Part unless— (a) he has undergone a course or courses of training and passed the tests of proficiency conducted by the Commissioner or any body authorized in writing by the Commissioner to conduct a course of training and tests of proficiency for tourist guides; (b) he has completed any other course recognized by the Commissioner as being equivalent to a course referred to in paragraph (a); or (c) it appears to the Commissioner, with due regard to the character, qualifications and experience of such person, that he is competent to be a tourist guide. Grant of licence 24. (1) Upon receiving an application under subsection 23(1), the Commissioner shall consider the application and may, where he is satisfied of the suitability of the applicant and upon payment of the prescribed fee, grant a licence with or without conditions. (2) The Commissioner shall enter the name of every person who has been granted a licence under subsection (1) in the register and issue to that person an authorization card in such form as may be prescribed. (3) The Commissioner may refuse to grant a licence to any person without assigning any reason thereof. 24 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 (4) Where the Commissioner refuses to grant a licence, he shall immediately notify the applicant in writing of his refusal. Validity of licence 25. A licence granted by the Commissioner under this Part shall, unless sooner revoked, be valid for a period of not exceeding three years from the date the licence was granted. Authorization card 26. (1) An authorization card issued to a licensed tourist guide under subsection 24(2)— (a) shall be worn conspicuously whenever the licensed tourist guide is on duty, conducting any tour or when he is attending any course as required under section 27; (b) shall not be worn by any person other than the person to whom it was issued. (2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both. Duties imposed upon licensed tourist guides 27. (1) A licensed tourist guide shall attend further courses of training and pass further tests of proficiency for tourist guides as may be required by the Commissioner. (2) A standard form of dress as may be prescribed shall be worn by every licensed tourist guide while on duty or conducting tours. Tourism Industry 25 (3) A licensed tourist guide shall comply with a standard code of ethics as may be prescribed. Suspension or revocation of licence 28. (1) If any licensed tourist guide— (a) has made any misrepresentation or has failed to disclose any fact at the time of applying for a licence, and such misrepresentation or non-disclosure would have influenced the Commissioner to license him in pursuance of section 24; (b) has failed to attend or successfully complete such further courses of training or pass such further tests of proficiency as may be required; (c) has failed to wear the authorization card or has allowed any other person to wear the authorization card in contravention of section 26; (d) has acted in contravention of the provisions of this Act; (e) has contravened any of the conditions of his licence imposed under subsection 24(1) or the code of ethics referred to in subsection 27(3); (f) is, in the opinion of the Commissioner, incapable by reason of illness or otherwise of acting as a tourist guide; (g) has not performed the functions of a tourist guide for a continuous period of six months; or (h) has been convicted of any offence involving dishonesty, fraud or moral turpitude, 26 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 the Commissioner may suspend the licence granted under section 24 and withdraw the authorization card for such period as may be determined or revoke the licence and remove the name of the licensed tourist guide from the register or, where the licence has expired, refuse to renew the licence: Provided that the Commissioner may not suspend, revoke or refuse to renew the licence of the licensed tourist guide in any of the circumstances mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (g) without first giving the tourist guide concerned an opportunity to be heard. (2) Where the Commissioner suspends, revokes or refuses to renew a licence, he shall immediately notify the tourist guide concerned in writing of his decision. Effect of suspension or revocation of licence 29. (1) Any licensed tourist guide whose licence has been suspended pursuant to section 28 shall not during the period of suspension act as a tourist guide. (2) Any licensed tourist guide whose licence has been revoked shall immediately cease to act as a tourist guide in any circumstances. (3) Every licensed tourist guide whose licence has not been renewed or has been revoked pursuant to section 28 shall return the licence and the authorization card to the Commissioner, subject to section 30, not later than fourteen days from the date on which the notice of refusal to renew or revocation is served on him. (4) Any person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding seven thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both, and in the case of a continuing offence, shall, in addition, be liable to a daily fine not exceeding five hundred ringgit for each day the offence continues to be committed. Tourism Industry 27 Right to appeal 30. (1) Any licensed tourist guide who is aggrieved— (a) by the refusal of the Commissioner to renew his licence; or (b) by the suspension or revocation of his licence under section 28, may appeal in writing to the Minister within fourteen days from the date on which the notice of refusal to renew, suspension or revocation is served on him. (2) The decision of the Minister shall be final and conclusive. (3) Where the Minister confirms the decision of the Commissioner, the licensed tourist guide shall, within seven days from the date of the confirmation, return the licence and the authorization card to the Commissioner. (4) Any person who contravenes subsection (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both, and the court shall retain the licence and the authorization card and forward them to the Commissioner. Surrender of licence and authorization card 31. A licensed tourist guide may surrender his licence by forwarding his licence and his authorization card to the Commissioner with a written notice of its surrender and the surrender shall take effect on the date the Commissioner receives the licence and authorization card. 28 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 PART IVA REGISTRATION OF ACCOMMODATION PREMISES Accommodation premises shall be registered 31A. Any person who carries on or operates accommodation premises shall apply to the Commissioner for the registration of such premises as tourist accommodation premises. Application for registration as tourist accommodation premises 31B. (1) An application for registration as tourist accommodation premises under this Part shall— (a) be made to the Commissioner in the prescribed manner; (b) be accompanied by the prescribed fee. (2) The Commissioner may, at any time after receiving an application under subsection (1), require, orally or in writing, the applicant to provide additional documents or information. (3) Where any additional document or information required under subsection (2) is not provided by the applicant within the time specified in the requirement, the application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and shall not be further proceeded with, without prejudice to a fresh application being made by the applicant. Power of Commissioner to determine registration 31C. (1) The Commissioner shall, in determining the suitability of any accommodation premises for registration, take into consideration— (a) the description of the accommodation premises; Tourism Industry 29 (b) the facilities and services provided or offered to tourists; (c) the number and experience of staff employed or to be employed at the accommodation premises; and (d) any other factors as the Commissioner thinks fit. (2) The Commissioner may require the accommodation premises of an applicant to be inspected. (3) Where the Commissioner is satisfied as to the suitability of the accommodation premises, the Commissioner shall, on payment of the prescribed fee, register the accommodation premises as tourist accommodation premises. Register 31D. The Commissioner shall keep and maintain a register in such form and containing such information as may be prescribed, concerning all registered tourist accommodation premises. PART V GENERAL Renewal of licence 32. (1) Every licensed tourism enterprise or licensed tourist guide shall submit an application to the Commissioner in such form as may be determined for the renewal of his licence at least thirty, but not more than sixty, days before the date of expiry of the licence and such application shall be accompanied with such documents and information as may be required by the Commissioner. (2) The prescribed fee shall be payable upon approval of the application. 30 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 (3) (Deleted by Act A1562). (4) Without prejudice to any other grounds, the Commissioner may refuse to renew a licence where the requirements of subsection (1) is not complied with. (5) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence under this Act. Lost licences 33. (1) Where a licensed tourism enterprise has lost its licence, it shall immediately notify the Commissioner in writing of the loss. (2) Where a licensed tourist guide has lost his licence or his authorization card, he shall immediately notify the Commissioner in writing of the loss. (3) Such licensed tourism enterprise or licensed tourist guide shall submit an application for a replacement licence or authorization card, as the case may be, accompanied by all such information and documents as may be required by the Commissioner together with the prescribed fees that may be imposed. Power of Minister to make regulations 34. (1) The Minister may make such regulations as he may consider expedient for the purposes of this Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations may be made for any of the following purposes or matters: (a) the prescription of documents and information to accompany any application for a licence; Tourism Industry 31 (b) the duration and conditions of licence, and the manner and procedure for its renewal; (c) the fees to be paid for any licence and any other fees which are required to be prescribed under this Act; (ca) the purchase of insurance policy by the licensed tour operator, or the making of a deposit in the form of cash or bank guarantee to the Commissioner; (d) the procedures of entry into and inspection of premises; (e) the keeping of proper books, accounts and records by the licensed tourism enterprise and the form and mode of the same; (f) regulating the establishment and management of tourism training institutions, including the prescription of course content and training programmes, books or materials to be used, the standards to which the institutions shall conform, the granting of permits by the Commissioner for lecturers and instructors, the qualifications of lecturers and instructors, the examinations to be conducted and the certificates or such other qualifications to be awarded; (g) the offences which may be compounded and the procedure for compounding such offences; (h) the forms of any register, notice or order required to be kept, issued or made under this Act and the procedures for the service of such notices or orders; (ha) to provide for the classification and reclassification of tourist accommodation premises and the rating of such premises by the Commissioner; (i) the conduct of or the carrying on of any business or service relating to tourism enterprises or tourist guides and the 32 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 standards of performance to be maintained by them and the granting of exemptions by the Commissioner to any tourism enterprise or tourist guide from any requirement imposed by regulations made under this paragraph; and (j) any other matter which is required by this Act to be prescribed. (3) Any regulations made under this section may prescribe any act in contravention of the regulations to be an offence and may prescribe penalties of a fine not exceeding one hundred ringgit or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both for such offence. Obligation of secrecy 35. (1) Except for the purposes of this Act, no person who has access to any record, book, register, correspondence, information, document or other material whatsoever obtained pursuant to the provisions of this Act shall disclose such record, book, register, correspondence, information, document or other material to any other person. (2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both. Inaccurate declaration, etc. 36. Any person who makes, orally or in writing, signs or furnishes any declaration, return, certificate or other document or information required by this Act which is untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any particular shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both. Tourism Industry 33 General penalty 37. Any person who fails to comply with or contravenes any provision of this Act for which no specific penalty is expressly provided shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both, and in the case of a continuing offence, shall, in addition, be liable to a daily fine not exceeding five hundred ringgit for each day the offence continues to be committed. Liability of directors, etc. 38. (1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, any person who at the time of the commission of the offence was a director, secretary, manager or other officer of the company or who was purporting to act in any such capacity, shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be punished accordingly unless he proves that the offence was committed without his consent or connivance and that he exercised such diligence to prevent the commission of the offence as he ought to have exercised having regard to the nature of his function in that capacity and to all the circumstances. (2) Any person who would have been guilty of an offence if anything had been done or omitted to be done by him personally shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to the same penalty if such thing had been done or omitted to be done by his officer, agent or servant in the course of his business unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or consent and that he took all reasonable precautions to prevent the doing or omission to do such thing. (3) Nothing in subsection (2) shall relieve any such officer, agent or servant from any liability for an offence. 34 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 Power to compound offences 39. (1) The Commissioner may, with the written consent of the Public Prosecutor, compound any offence under this Act which is prescribed to be a compoundable offence by requiring a person reasonably suspected of committing the offence to pay a sum of money not exceeding fifty per cent of the amount of the maximum fine to which that person should have been liable if he had been convicted of the offence. (2) An offer under subsection (1) may be made at any time after the offence has been committed but before any prosecution for it has been instituted, and where the amount specified in the offer is not paid within the time specified, or during such extended period as may be granted by the Commissioner, prosecution for the offence may be instituted at any time thereafter against the person to whom the offer was made. (3) Where an offence has been compounded under subsection (1), no prosecution shall thereafter be instituted in respect of the offence against the person to whom the offer to compound was made. Authorized officer 40. (1) The Minister may authorize in writing any public officer to exercise the powers of enforcement under this Act. (2) Any such officer shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of the Penal Code [Act 574]. (3) In exercising any of the powers of enforcement under this Act, an authorized officer shall on demand produce to the person against whom he is acting the authority issued to him by the Minister. Tourism Industry 35 Power to investigate 41. In any case relating to the commission of an offence under this Act, any authorized officer making an investigation may exercise all or any of the special powers in relation to police investigation in seizable cases given by the Criminal Procedure Code [Act 593]. Power to examine witnesses 42. (1) An authorized officer making an investigation under this Act may examine orally any person supposed to be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case and shall reduce into writing any statement made by the person so examined. (2) Such person shall be bound to answer all questions relating to such case put to him by such officer: Provided that such person may refuse to answer any question the answer to which would have a tendency to expose him to a criminal charge or penalty of forfeiture. (3) A person making a statement under this section shall be legally bound to state the truth, whether or not such statement is made wholly or partly in answer to questions. (4) An authorized officer examining a person under subsection (1) shall first inform that person of the provisions of subsections (2) and (3). (5) A statement made by any person under this section shall, whenever possible, be reduced into writing and signed by the person making it or affixed with his thumb print, as the case may be, after it has been read to him in the language in which he made it and after he has been given an opportunity to make any correction he may wish. 36 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 Admissibility of statement 43. Notwithstanding the provisions of any written law to the contrary, where a person is charged with an offence under this Act, any statement, whether the statement amounts to a confession or not or whether it is oral or in writing, made at any time, whether before or after the person is charged and whether in the course of investigation under this Act or not and whether or not wholly or partly in answer to questions, by the person to, or in the hearing of, the authorized officer and whether or not interpreted to him by an authorized officer or any other person concerned or not in the case, shall be admissible at his trial in evidence and, if the person tenders himself as a witness, any such statement may be used in cross- examination and for the purpose of impeaching his credit: Provided that— (a) no such statement shall be admissible or used as aforesaid— (i) if the making of the statement appears to the court to have been caused by any inducement, threat or promise having reference to the charge against such person proceeding from a person in authority and sufficient in the opinion of the court to give the person charged grounds which would appear to him reasonable for supposing that by making it he would gain any advantage or avoid any evil of a temporal nature in reference to the proceedings against him; or (ii) in the case of a statement made by the person after his arrest, unless the court is satisfied that he was cautioned in the following words or words to the like effect: “It is my duty to warn you that you are not obliged to say anything or to answer any question Tourism Industry 37 but anything you say, whether in answer to a question or not, may be given in evidence.”; and (b) a statement made by any person before there is time to caution him shall not be rendered inadmissible in evidence merely by reason of his not having been cautioned if he is cautioned as soon as possible. Search with warrant 44. (1) Whenever it appears to any Magistrate upon written information on oath and after any enquiry which he may think necessary that there is reasonable cause to believe that in any premises or place there is being committed an offence against this Act, the Magistrate may issue a warrant authorizing any authorized officer, by day or night and with or without assistance, to enter the premises or place and search for and seize or take copies of all books, accounts, or other documents which contain or are suspected to contain information as to any offence so suspected to have been committed or any other things relating to the offence. (2) Any such officer may if it is necessary so to do— (a) break open any outer or inner door of the premises or place, and enter thereinto; (b) forcibly, enter the premises or place and every part thereof; (c) remove by force any obstruction to enter, search, seizure and removal as he is empowered to effect; (d) detain every person found in the premises or place until the premises or place has been searched; and (e) where the premises or place is used for carrying on or operating a tourism enterprise without a licence, seal the premises or place. 38 Laws of Malaysia ACT 482 Search without warrant 45. Whenever it appears to any authorized officer that there is reasonable cause to believe that in any premises or place there is concealed or deposited any books, accounts or other documents which are suspected to contain information as to the commission of an offence under this Act or any other thing relating to the offence and if he has reasonable grounds for believing that by reason of the delay in obtaining a search warrant the books, accounts, other documents or things are likely to be removed, the officer may exercise in, upon and in respect of the premises or place all the powers mentioned in section 44 in as full and ample a manner as if he were authorized so to do by a warrant issued under that section. List of things seized 46.

(1) The authorized officer seizing any books, accounts, documents or other things under this Act shall prepare a list of the books, accounts, documents or other things seized and forthwith deliver a copy signed by him to the occupier or his agents or servants present in the premises or place of seizure. (2) The list referred to in subsection (1) shall not be treated as a statement, admission or confession made by the occupier or his agents or servants in the course of the investigation and shall be admissible in evidence. Additional powers 47. Any authorized officer shall, for purposes of the execution of this Act, have power to do all or any of the following: (a) to require the production of records, accounts and documents kept by a licensed tourism enterprise or licensed tourist guide and to inspect, examine and copy any of them; Tourism Industry 39 (b) to require the production of any identification document from any person in relation in any case or offence under this Act; (c) to make such inquiry as may be necessary to ascertain whether the provisions of this Act are complied with. Obstruction of search, etc. 48. Any person who— (a) assaults, obstructs, hinders or delays the authorized officer in effecting any entrance which he is entitled to effect under this Act, or in the execution of any duty imposed or power conferred by this Act; (b) breaks any seal that has been affixed by an authorized officer on any premises or place; (c) fails to comply with any lawful demand of an authorized officer in the execution of his duty under this Act; or (d) refuses or neglects to give any information which may reasonably be required of him and which he has it in his power to give, shall be guilty of an offence. Prosecution 49. No prosecution in respect of an offence under this Act shall be instituted except by, or with the written consent of, the Public Prosecutor. 40 LAWS OF MALAYSIA Act 482 TOURISM INDUSTRY ACT 1992 LIST OF AMENDMENTS Amending law Short title In force from Act A1037 Tourism Industry (Amendment) Act 01-12-1998 1998 Act A1153 Tourism Industry (Amendment) Act 01-04-2003 1998 Act A1562 Tourism Industry (Amendment) Act 01-01-2019 2018 41 LAWS OF MALAYSIA Act 482 TOURISM INDUSTRY ACT 1992 LIST OF SECTIONS AMENDED Section Amending authority In force from 2 Act A1153 01-04-2003 Act A1562 01-01-2019 3 Act A1153 01-04-2003 5 Act A1153 01-04-2003 Act A1562 01-01-2019 8 Act A1562 01-01-2019 9 Act A1562 01-01-2019 10 Act A1562 01-01-2019 11 Act A1562 01-01-2019 15 Act A1562 01-01-2019 16 Act A1037 01-12-1998 25 Act A1037 01-12-1998 31A–31D Act A1153 01-04-2003 32 Act A1562 01-01-2019 34 Act A1037 01-12-1998 Act A1153 01-04-2003 Act A1562 01-01-2019 37 Act A1562 01-01-2019 39 Act A1562 01-01-2019 40 Act A1037 01-12-1998 49 Act A1562 01-01-2019