GEORGE TOWN – Six posts in the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) board are up for grabs – only this time, its organisation’s election is seeing a heated contest between 11 senior hoteliers as the hospitality industry struggles with its post-pandemic recovery.
This Friday, about 300 delegates of 1,000 MAH hotel members will vote to decide who among the 11 candidates should best represent the industry in the country.
The industry is currently focused on recovery efforts as its businesses were among the most affected during the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 – a situation compounded by an acute labour shortage and rising operational costs.
Reginald T. Pereira, who manages the Tg Rhu Resort, said if chosen, he will propose to hold a dialogue with the relevant authorities on the shortage of workers and for the RM1,500 minimum wage to be deferred until year end.
“We need every sen to cope with the rising costs and we hope the government can be mindful of the challenges faced by the industry.”
MAH secretary-general Christina Toh, meanwhile, welcomed the jostling for positions, saying it is a healthy sign that hoteliers are offering their expertise in helping the industry to recover from the pandemic.
Toh, who is also among the 11 candidates and one of the three women candidates, is currently the area general manager for the Dorsett Grand Subang Hotel.
Thirteen state chapter chairmen are already part of the board after being elected at the state level last year.
MAH is the dominant voice of hoteliers in the country, representing many top and international chain properties. It holds an election for office-bearers every three years.
The board also needs to nominate a candidate to replace its chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng, who left the position last month.
The pandemic’s aftermath also shut down several well-known hospitality properties such as Hotel Istana in Kuala Lumpur and the Equatorial Hotel in Penang.
The 11 candidates seeking to be on the MAH board are Azhar Mohammad, who is the chairman of Seberang Jaya’s The Light Hotel; Toh; Datuk Megat Shahrul Azman Abas, who is former Langkawi Development Authority tourism head; hoteliers Khoo Boo Lim and Lim Choong Sean.
Others are former Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners vice-president Mohamed Halim Merican, Ascot Group country manager Mondi Mecja, Sunway Lost World Hotel and Tambun theme park general manager Nurul Nuzairi Mohd Azahari, former Perak MAH chairman Maggie Ong Mooi Kee, Pereira, and MAH honorary treasurer-general Shirley Lai Swee Fong. – The Vibes, May 25, 2022
