Instead, the state tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister said hotels should be encouraged to be flexible when it comes to check-in and check-out times, The Borneo Post reported.

“Most hotels and lodging operators are quite flexible, especially when guests request a later check-out time.

“We don’t want everything to be strictly controlled by the government. This is the hospitality industry, which thrives on flexibility and customer service.

“Check-out times are really up to the guest’s negotiation with the hotel management,” he was quoted as saying.

Last week, federal tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing urged hotel operators to adjust their check-in and check-out times to ensure their guests get at least 23 hours of accommodation.

Tiong promised to negotiate with the human resources and home ministries to allow an intake of foreign workers in the hotel industry to enable quicker turnovers in preparing rooms.

However, he later said the regulation of hotels fell under the purview of the respective state governments, monitored by local authorities.

In response to his call, three hoteliers told FMT that manpower shortage and costs were the main reasons for maintaining their current practice of 21-hour accommodation.

However, although they applied the “3pm check-in and noon check-out” rule, they said they still allowed early check-ins and late check-outs if rooms were available.