The Committee on Service Charge will hold its fourth meeting on Monday.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general Alias Ahmad said many phases of discussions were needed to achieve a collective agreement from all parties.

He said the committee involving the Finance Ministry, Customs Department, Human Resources Ministry, as well as the Tourism and Culture Ministry, should carry out an in-depth study as there was no dedicated law or agency to regulate the implementation of the charge.

"The issue is very complicated as it has been implemented for so long and we do want to make a decision which could jeopardise any parties," he told reporters after a Price Control and Anti-Profiteering operation in Batu Ferringhi today.

He said three series of meetings held earlier with consumer associations and service operator representatives saw not so positive input given by traders.

For the time being, he said hotel and restaurant managements had been ordered to display a service charge notice in their premises for the convenience of customers.

"Only operators who have collective agreements with their employees are allowed to impose service charge and we are still monitoring the matter," he said.

- Bernama