A company official, Mich Goh, said the new rules could affect the recovery of the tourism industry and the state’s economy and make it difficult for Malaysians to generate income.

She said Airbnb and its local members had given their feedback on the proposed new guidelines at a public dialogue with executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo on July 28.

Jagdeep had proposed that joint management bodies of flats and apartment buildings impose a strict limit on homestays of up to three nights a week and 180 nights a year.

Homestays in commercial strata buildings would be prohibited unless 75% of owners are present at a general meeting to vote to allow homestays in their buildings.

The state government’s proposal came in the wake of protests that many apartment building management boards had banned all homestays in their buildings.

Goh said Airbnb and its members had asked for short-stay activities to be allowed to continue in commercial strata buildings, while joint management boards and property owners can introduce relevant rules on homestays in their buildings.

Jagdeep had said the state government will introduce new homestay guidelines for apartment buildings and houses from early January. They were drawn up together with local authorities and related agencies in December.