Operators of glamping sites in Malaysia will have until the end of 2025 to meet new development regulations for glamping sites before facing enforcement action, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming announced last week.
Minister Nga stated in an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily that the moratorium period for existing operators of glamping sites who do not meet development conditions is until the end of 2025. He added that after the grace period ends, enforcement action could be taken on operators who fail to submit applications.
For regular camping sites, the grace period extends until the end of 2026, as reported by Malay Mail.
The announcement came ahead of the minister bringing a new set of guidelines for campsite operators before the Cabinet last week.
Last week, Free Malaysia Today also reported that Nga would be tabling guidelines for campsites during the December 1 Cabinet meeting before holding a press conference to announce details of the document.
The guidelines aim to close loopholes in current regulations and require campsite operators to renew licenses annually. Nga explained the goal is to “provide assurance to the public.”
For sites in high-risk areas near water or on slopes, Nga cautioned that if the technical report showed that the location is a high-risk area, they should carry out business “based on their conscience and shift.” He stated that he would not legalize such operators.
The grace period and new guidelines follow the deadly landslide at a campsite in Batang Kali, which took the lives of 31 people. Nga affirmed the government’s priority is safety, saying operators would have to legalize their campsites according to the proposed guideline.
Nga also highlighted plans to shorten the high-risk campsite licensing process from 32 days to 14 days by 2024-2026 through a streamlined one-stop application process. Consultation with technical bodies would still be required for risky locations.
During the grace period, Nga indicated the government could assist with basic infrastructure like roads since many sites are in remote locales. However, he stressed that operators would need to act on their conscience and relocate if technical reports showed extreme danger.
With the 2025 deadline approaching, glamping operators are advised to consult with officials right away to evaluate their sites and begin making plans.
