State local government and tourism committee chairman Ng Suee Lim said local authorities had been tasked with formulating these guidelines to prevent unchecked agricultural land exploitation.

Homestays on agricultural land, such as padi fields, had become increasingly popular, with a significant rise in such establishments, especially in the northern and southern regions of Selangor, he said.

“While we support the growth of the tourism industry, the state government cannot allow operators to build on agricultural land indiscriminately.

“Operators must adhere to regulations to safeguard agricultural resources vital for food security,” he said, while urging local authorities to ensure that the guidelines were clear to assist homestay operators.

Ng was responding to a question from Nurul Syazwani Noh (PN-Permatang) in the state assembly here today on Selangor’s readiness to grant planning permission on agricultural land to homestay operators.

Ng also urged homestay operators to register with the tourism, arts and culture ministry and Tourism Selangor to ensure that they have insurance coverage and meet safety standards.