Kota Kinabalu: Tour bus operators’ representative, Datuk Mohd Nasser Migin, urged the Government to review the transport subsidy policy to include tour buses among the beneficiaries.
“Tour buses should also be given subsidies just like public transport buses, lorries and other commercial vehicles. Without this support, operators have to bear the burden of high fuel and maintenance costs, which ultimately affects business sustainability,” he said in a statement.
He said the absence of subsidies had caused tour bus operating costs to rise sharply, affecting operators’ income and lowering the competitiveness of the country’s tourism industry.
He cited Tourism Ministry statistics showing that Malaysia received more than 20 million international tourists in 2025, contributing over RM70 billion to the national economy.
In Sabah alone, the tourism sector contributes nearly RM8 billion a year, making it one of the State’s main contributors to its Gross Domestic Product, he said.
He said tour buses play an important role in transporting tourists to major destinations such as the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Mount Kinabalu and Mari-Mari Cultural Village.
“Without subsidies, travel costs rise and tour packages become less competitive compared to neighbouring countries,” he said.
He said fuel costs for a large tour bus could reach RM1,000 for a single long-distance trip, excluding maintenance costs and driver salaries.
“Without subsidies, profit margins continue to shrink, forcing some operators to reduce the number of trips or raise package prices, ultimately burdening tourists,” he said.
“If this situation continues, not only will tour bus operators be affected, but the entire tourism ecosystem, including hotels, restaurants and small traders, will also feel the impact,” he added.
He hopes the Government will reassess the subsidy mechanism to make it more inclusive, taking into account the tourism sector’s importance as one of the country’s main pillars of economic development.
“Tourists are major contributors to the economy. If their transport is not given proper support, we risk losing our appeal as a preferred destination,” he said.
