Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Budget Hotel Association said 1,722 out of 2,231 (71.19pc) of hotels rated three stars and above were forced to halt operations since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enforced on March 18.

For Sabah, 104 out of 196 hotels were affected. This was highlighted to Daily Express by Sabah Hotel Association advisor and former president Christopher Chan.

Such business and budget hotels include the oldest hotel here – Jesselton Hotel which is popular with business people and niche historic hotel aficionados.

“Our survey found most hotels planned to remain closed and about 20 per cent will be permanently closed or cease operations of their business after the MCO is lifted.”

In other words, Sabah would lose 3,640 rooms out of 6,860 rooms sought by budget travellers.