Help and resources for homestay guests and operators in Kedah

Government & regulatory

• Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC)

  Federal ministry responsible for national tourism policy, and the body that registers and sets guidelines for homestays under the Malaysian Homestay Experience Program (PPHM).

  Visit website → Phone: 03-8000 8000 No. 2, Tower 1, Jalan P5/6, Precinct 5, 62200 Putrajaya

• Tourism Malaysia (Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board)

  Statutory body under MOTAC responsible for marketing Malaysia as a tourism destination, including homestay and community-based tourism products.

  Visit website → Phone: 03-8891 8000 No. 2, 9th Floor, Tower 1, Jalan P5/6, Precinct 5, 62200 Putrajaya

• Companies Commission of Malaysia (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia, SSM)

  Statutory body that registers and regulates companies and businesses in Malaysia; consumers can use its search services to check whether a homestay operator or booking agent is a legitimately registered business.

  Visit website → Phone: 03-2299 4400 No. 7, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50623 Kuala Lumpur

• Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Kedah (KEDA)

  Kedah regional development authority, established under Act 249, that plans and implements rural tourism projects including homestays and provides entrepreneurship support to homestay operators in Kedah.

  Visit website →

• Kedah Tourism Sdn Bhd

  State government tourism promotion company for Kedah, responsible for marketing and developing the state's tourism attractions and accommodations, including homestays.

  Visit website →

Consumer protection

• Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN)

  Federal ministry that regulates domestic trade and consumer protection in Malaysia and handles complaints against traders and service providers.

  Visit website → No. 13, Persiaran Perdana, Precinct 2, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62623 Putrajaya

• Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia (Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna Malaysia)

  A quasi-judicial tribunal established under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 and operated under KPDN, allowing consumers to file claims against traders or service providers, including accommodation providers, without needing a lawyer.

  Visit website → Phone: 03-8882 5822, toll-free 1-800-88-9811 Aras 5, Podium 2, No. 13 Persiaran Perdana, Presint 2, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62623 Putrajaya

• National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC)

  An independent, government-linked complaint centre that helps consumers resolve disputes and complaints with businesses, including travel and accommodation services.

  Visit website →

• Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP)

  One of Malaysia's oldest and best-established consumer rights organisations, providing consumer education, complaint assistance, and advocacy nationwide.

  Visit website → Phone: 04-829 9511 No. 10, Jalan Masjid Negeri, 11600 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang

• Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA)

  The national umbrella body for consumer associations in Malaysia, representing consumer interests and advocacy at national and international level.

  Visit website → Phone: 03-7876 4648

Legal help

This is general information, not legal advice. Speak to a qualified professional about your specific situation.

• Legal Aid Bureau (Jabatan Bantuan Guaman Malaysia, JBG)

  A federal department under the Prime Minister's Department (Legal Affairs Division) that provides free legal aid and advice to eligible members of the public for civil and other disputes.

  Visit website → Phone: 03-8885 1827 (Civil) Jabatan Bantuan Guaman, Aras 1, Bangunan Hal Ehwal Undang-Undang, Presint 3, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62692 Putrajaya

• Malaysian Bar Legal Aid Centre (Bar Council Legal Aid Centre)

  Legal aid centres run by the Malaysian Bar that provide free legal advice and assistance to the public through volunteer lawyers, with branches in most states.

  Visit website →

Financial assistance

This is general information, not financial advice. Confirm eligibility and terms directly with each program.

• Tourism Fund (Tabung Pelancongan)

  A MOTAC-administered financing scheme, delivered via BPMB's Tourism Infrastructure Scheme and SME Bank's Special Tourism Fund, that finances renovation and upgrading of tourism accommodation premises, including homestays registered with MOTAC.

  Visit website →

• TEKUN Nasional

  A government microfinancing agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives that provides small business loans, usable by homestay and small tourism operators, generally without collateral.

  Visit website →

• Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA)

  A government agency that provides business financing, training and support to Bumiputera entrepreneurs, including micro-business financing schemes usable by small accommodation and homestay operators.

  Visit website → 21, Jalan Raja Laut, 50609 Kuala Lumpur