Monday, June 26, 2017
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Clear skies expected over Raya
Clear skies expected over Raya
It will likely be a sunny Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year in most parts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
The date for sighting the Syawal new moon to determine when Aidilfitri falls has been set for June 24, and many expect Hari Raya to start the next day.
Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Alui Bahari said a detailed forecast for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period will only be released today but added that the weather is generally expected to be dry due to the current south-west monsoon.
The south-west monsoon started on May 17, and will continue until September, typically associated with lower rainfall in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
“There is always heavy traffic on the highways during the Raya period, but good weather conditions will hopefully help to make journeys safer as the roads are dry and visibility is better,” said Alui.
The volume of vehicles that will hit the roads starting this week as families make their way back to their hometowns is expected to grow.
PLUS Malaysia Bhd said traffic plying the North-South Expressway during peak days starting Wednesday to July 3 is set to hit 1.7 million vehicles per day.
The figure is an increase of 30% from the reported 1.2 million vehicles during the Raya peak period two years ago.
Another highway concessionaire, Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd (Litrak), expects a 10% increase in the number of vehicles on the Sprint and Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) highways in Selangor as the Hari Raya celebration draws closer.
The LDP, which is normally used by more than 470,000 vehicles each week, may see an increase of about 10,000 vehicles this week.
Association of Highway Concessionaires Malaysia said in a statement that the volume of traffic is expected to increase by between 30% and 40% during the coming Raya period compared to normal times.
“The Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway, East Coast Expressway (LPT1) and East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2) is expected to see an increase of 50% in traffic volume,” the statement said.
To cope with the traffic volume, PLUS has issued a travel time advisory to help the public plan their journey and to distribute traffic between June 21 and July 3.
Those planning to travel from the Klang Valley to their hometowns in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, northern Perak and Johor are advised to enter the highway before 10am.
Those heading towards nearer destinations such as in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, southern Perak and central Perak, are advised to start their journey and enter the North-South Expressway after 10am on designated days.
Meanwhile, Penang is expecting an influx of visitors who are set to take advantage of the four-day Aidilfitri holiday.
“Last year, the traffic was not so bad, but it is too early to predict the congestion this year,” said state traffic police enforcement chief Supt Roslan Ali.
He added that traffic police would be out daily under Ops Selamat from now until July 2.
Malaysian Hoteliers Association Penang Chapter chairman Khoo Boo Lim said most hotels in the state were almost full.
“Penang is a top choice for local tourists and many are definitely coming here during the break,” he added.
~News courtesy of The Star~
It will likely be a sunny Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year in most parts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
The date for sighting the Syawal new moon to determine when Aidilfitri falls has been set for June 24, and many expect Hari Raya to start the next day.
Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Alui Bahari said a detailed forecast for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period will only be released today but added that the weather is generally expected to be dry due to the current south-west monsoon.
The south-west monsoon started on May 17, and will continue until September, typically associated with lower rainfall in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
“There is always heavy traffic on the highways during the Raya period, but good weather conditions will hopefully help to make journeys safer as the roads are dry and visibility is better,” said Alui.
The volume of vehicles that will hit the roads starting this week as families make their way back to their hometowns is expected to grow.
PLUS Malaysia Bhd said traffic plying the North-South Expressway during peak days starting Wednesday to July 3 is set to hit 1.7 million vehicles per day.
The figure is an increase of 30% from the reported 1.2 million vehicles during the Raya peak period two years ago.
Another highway concessionaire, Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd (Litrak), expects a 10% increase in the number of vehicles on the Sprint and Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) highways in Selangor as the Hari Raya celebration draws closer.
The LDP, which is normally used by more than 470,000 vehicles each week, may see an increase of about 10,000 vehicles this week.
Association of Highway Concessionaires Malaysia said in a statement that the volume of traffic is expected to increase by between 30% and 40% during the coming Raya period compared to normal times.
“The Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway, East Coast Expressway (LPT1) and East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2) is expected to see an increase of 50% in traffic volume,” the statement said.
To cope with the traffic volume, PLUS has issued a travel time advisory to help the public plan their journey and to distribute traffic between June 21 and July 3.
Those planning to travel from the Klang Valley to their hometowns in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, northern Perak and Johor are advised to enter the highway before 10am.
Those heading towards nearer destinations such as in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, southern Perak and central Perak, are advised to start their journey and enter the North-South Expressway after 10am on designated days.
Meanwhile, Penang is expecting an influx of visitors who are set to take advantage of the four-day Aidilfitri holiday.
“Last year, the traffic was not so bad, but it is too early to predict the congestion this year,” said state traffic police enforcement chief Supt Roslan Ali.
He added that traffic police would be out daily under Ops Selamat from now until July 2.
Malaysian Hoteliers Association Penang Chapter chairman Khoo Boo Lim said most hotels in the state were almost full.
“Penang is a top choice for local tourists and many are definitely coming here during the break,” he added.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Friday, June 16, 2017
DPM: Tourism tax will be imposed
DPM: Tourism tax will be imposed
The Government is going ahead with its tourism tax to be imposed from July 1.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who disclosed this yesterday, said more funds were needed to support tourism promotion activities.
“At present, some states receive little (funds), some get more,” he said. Under the new tax, hotel guests will be charged between RM2.50 and RM20 for every night’s stay, depending on the classification of the hotel.
Dr Ahmad Zahid disclosed that the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday directed that the tourism tax spat involving Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and the Sarawak and Sabah governments be put to an end.
“The Prime Minister chaired the Cabinet meeting and I have personally met with the Chief Ministers of Sarawak and Sabah.
“So the chapter is closed,’’ he told reporters after closing an Islamic education workshop here yesterday.
Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah had called on the Government to defer the implementation of the tourism tax in Sarawak and Sabah. This invited criticism from Nazri.
Dr Ahmad Zahid also said RM10mil will be given to the Advisory Board for the Coordination of Islamic Education for the enhancement of Islamic educational institutions.
The workshop approved several resolutions, including one on a special mechanism to strengthen Federal-state cooperation in Islamic educational development.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The Government is going ahead with its tourism tax to be imposed from July 1.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who disclosed this yesterday, said more funds were needed to support tourism promotion activities.
“At present, some states receive little (funds), some get more,” he said. Under the new tax, hotel guests will be charged between RM2.50 and RM20 for every night’s stay, depending on the classification of the hotel.
Dr Ahmad Zahid disclosed that the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday directed that the tourism tax spat involving Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and the Sarawak and Sabah governments be put to an end.
“The Prime Minister chaired the Cabinet meeting and I have personally met with the Chief Ministers of Sarawak and Sabah.
“So the chapter is closed,’’ he told reporters after closing an Islamic education workshop here yesterday.
Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah had called on the Government to defer the implementation of the tourism tax in Sarawak and Sabah. This invited criticism from Nazri.
Dr Ahmad Zahid also said RM10mil will be given to the Advisory Board for the Coordination of Islamic Education for the enhancement of Islamic educational institutions.
The workshop approved several resolutions, including one on a special mechanism to strengthen Federal-state cooperation in Islamic educational development.
~News courtesy of The Star~
More trains and buses for Raya
More trains and buses for Raya
The Transport Ministry hopes to add more trains and express buses to serve the balik kampung crowds during the coming festive season.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said he had already directed KTM Berhad to increase its services for the period.
“Most of the demand is from Kuala Lumpur to the northern states. So, they will be providing 27 trips daily to the northern states, some up to Padang Besar.
“There is a limit to how much we can increase for the time being, however, because we do not have enough train coaches,” he told reporters after launching the Hari Raya integrated operations and road safety campaign here yesterday.
The ministry, said Liow, was also working with express bus operators to try and increase the number of buses during the Hari Raya period.
However, he said there was a lack of bus drivers due to more stringent selection criteria.
Promoting safe trips: Liow talking to a passenger after launching the Hari Raya integrated operations and road safety campaign.
“(For some routes) we will need two drivers to take turns because of the long distance.
“These are among the shortcomings we have during the Raya season but we will work towards overcoming them,” he said.
On the road accident statistics for last year, Liow said the numbers had increased, especially for fatalities.
“Last year, we had 521,466 road accidents compared to 489,606 previously.
“The number of fatalities from road accidents showed a sudden increase – going up to 7,152 deaths last year compared to 6,706 in 2015.
“During the two-week road safety campaign last year, police recorded 20,982 accidents, with 299 deaths,” he said.
As over 60% of the fatalities involved motorcyclists, Liow said this year’s campaign would focus on raising awareness among this group of road users.
“None of these statistics mean that the previous campaign have failed. If you look at the ratio of accidents to registered vehicles, that has actually gone down.
“We went from four deaths for every 10,000 vehicles in 2010 to 2.59 deaths for every 10,000 vehicles last year.
“In developed countries, the ratio is two deaths for every 10,000 vehicles and we aim to reach this by 2020,” he said.
This year's road safety campaign, with the theme “Pandu Cermat Sampai Selamat” will run for two weeks and includes advocacy as well as enforcement of road safety rules and regulations.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The Transport Ministry hopes to add more trains and express buses to serve the balik kampung crowds during the coming festive season.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said he had already directed KTM Berhad to increase its services for the period.
“Most of the demand is from Kuala Lumpur to the northern states. So, they will be providing 27 trips daily to the northern states, some up to Padang Besar.
“There is a limit to how much we can increase for the time being, however, because we do not have enough train coaches,” he told reporters after launching the Hari Raya integrated operations and road safety campaign here yesterday.
The ministry, said Liow, was also working with express bus operators to try and increase the number of buses during the Hari Raya period.
However, he said there was a lack of bus drivers due to more stringent selection criteria.
Promoting safe trips: Liow talking to a passenger after launching the Hari Raya integrated operations and road safety campaign.
“(For some routes) we will need two drivers to take turns because of the long distance.
“These are among the shortcomings we have during the Raya season but we will work towards overcoming them,” he said.
On the road accident statistics for last year, Liow said the numbers had increased, especially for fatalities.
“Last year, we had 521,466 road accidents compared to 489,606 previously.
“The number of fatalities from road accidents showed a sudden increase – going up to 7,152 deaths last year compared to 6,706 in 2015.
“During the two-week road safety campaign last year, police recorded 20,982 accidents, with 299 deaths,” he said.
As over 60% of the fatalities involved motorcyclists, Liow said this year’s campaign would focus on raising awareness among this group of road users.
“None of these statistics mean that the previous campaign have failed. If you look at the ratio of accidents to registered vehicles, that has actually gone down.
“We went from four deaths for every 10,000 vehicles in 2010 to 2.59 deaths for every 10,000 vehicles last year.
“In developed countries, the ratio is two deaths for every 10,000 vehicles and we aim to reach this by 2020,” he said.
This year's road safety campaign, with the theme “Pandu Cermat Sampai Selamat” will run for two weeks and includes advocacy as well as enforcement of road safety rules and regulations.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Monday, June 12, 2017
Enforcement officers detain seven anglers for fishing in marine park
Enforcement officers detain seven anglers for fishing in marine park
Enforcement officers have detained seven anglers for illegal fishing at the Sultan Iskandar Marine Park on Sunday.
State Health, Environment, Education and Information committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the suspects were detained on two boats between 10am and 10.45am.
He said the locals aged between 40 and 60 years old were caught for illegal fishing activities in and around Pulau Babi Besar and Pulau Babi Hujong.
"The marine park is off-limits to anglers and fishing is strictly prohibited within the park to ensure the sustainability of marine life," Ayub said in a statement on Sunday.
He said initial investigations showed there were 12 sets of fishing equipment on board the boats, adding that one of the boats was not registered.
Ayub said all the suspects had been brought to the Mersing Marine jetty to assist with investigations under the Fishery Act 1985 (Amended 1994).
~News courtesy of The Star~
Enforcement officers have detained seven anglers for illegal fishing at the Sultan Iskandar Marine Park on Sunday.
State Health, Environment, Education and Information committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the suspects were detained on two boats between 10am and 10.45am.
He said the locals aged between 40 and 60 years old were caught for illegal fishing activities in and around Pulau Babi Besar and Pulau Babi Hujong.
"The marine park is off-limits to anglers and fishing is strictly prohibited within the park to ensure the sustainability of marine life," Ayub said in a statement on Sunday.
He said initial investigations showed there were 12 sets of fishing equipment on board the boats, adding that one of the boats was not registered.
Ayub said all the suspects had been brought to the Mersing Marine jetty to assist with investigations under the Fishery Act 1985 (Amended 1994).
~News courtesy of The Star~
Saturday, June 10, 2017
丰盛港建机场 “好建议！”
增就业机会 . 留住年轻人 丰盛港建机场 “好建议！”
位于丰盛港斯里班台的小型飞机及直升机机场。
来得迟总比不来好！丰盛港兴建机场的计划再次被提及，当地商民无不期盼，希望机场刺激丰盛港发展之余，制造就业机会，留住年轻人。
柔佛苏丹依布拉欣为本季度柔州议会主持开幕仪式致御词时，建议柔州政府在丰盛港兴建机场，以促进丰盛港旅游发展，吸引更多游客到访岛屿。
殿下以国际都市迪拜为例，25年前，迪拜是被沙漠环绕，如果迪拜也可以成功，那么丰盛港只要拥有完善的公共基础建设，也可以成为一座繁荣的城市。
现有的丰盛港机场设备不齐全，急需提升。
探讨可行性
其实，丰盛港已经有一个可供小型飞机及直升机降落的机场，但时代久远，年久失修，设备也不齐全。
根据丰盛港村民了解，有关机场坐落在丰盛港斯里班台，距离丰盛港市区约10分钟车程。
有关机场由民航局（DCA）管理，是一个约足球场般大小的草场，只可供小型飞机及直升机起飞及降落。
据向村民了解，有关机场的设备残旧，很少有飞机降落。
另外，在今年2月14日，交通部长拿督斯里廖中莱在马华柔州联委会柔南区新年联欢会活动时曾透露，该部已收到柔州政府建议，以在丰盛港建造机场，该部会认真探讨可行性。
他当时也说，政府也会探讨若建造机场，应该建在云冰或丰盛港，以刺激当地旅游业。
鸟瞰丰盛港机场，现有的丰盛港机场就位于海岸线旁，是个只能让小型飞机及直升机降落的草场。
黄世忠：没一条大道直通 拖慢发展
丰盛港中华商会会长拿督黄世忠形容，丰盛港县不管在投资、工业或是旅游业发展，都是“最蜗牛”的。
他受访说，问题的根源，最主要还是交通，没有一条大道通往丰盛港，都需要使用联邦公路，犹如被孤立。
“若开车从北马或是吉隆坡过来，需要取道南北大道驶出亚依淡，再经过居銮等，中间道路弯弯曲曲，最快也需要两个多小时。”
“若从新山北上，路途也很遥远，如果在夜间行驶，整条路上没有路灯照明，非常危险，一直使人却步。”
他说，殿下此次提出兴建机场建议，让当地人都有一种久旱逢甘露的感觉，无不期盼万分。
他关注机场的建设地点和规划多大，也希望未来机场能增设内陆航班，刺激更多人到丰盛港设厂及旅游。
丰盛港县长久以来发展远远落后州内其他县属，并希望借着兴建机场，刺激当地经济起飞。
郑修强：计划进入讨论阶段
柔州旅游、商贸与消费人事务委员会主席拿督郑修强指出，丰盛港兴建机场计划已进入讨论阶段。
郑修强也是东海岸经济特区发展理事会成员之一，他说，该理事会一直在探讨，如何发展丰盛港。
他所说的发展项目，包括招商、设立现代化工业区及提升当地的旅游业。
他说，丰盛港是柔州一个重要的县，然而由于地处偏远，道路设施还不完善。
“如果要做到以上提到的3点，首要还是要提升丰盛港的交通连接性，以让物流更快速到达，其中一项建议就是兴建机场。”
郑修强说，有关兴建机场的建议其实一早已经提出讨论，机场的设计、地点等都是讨论的范围。
他说，有关计划更详细的内容，会再更适当时机再公布。
邢定波
小型机场缺乏设备
邢定波（丰盛港县居民代表联谊会主席）
丰盛港其实也有一个小型飞机场，就位于斯里班台，但只限于小型飞机降陆，无法容纳下大型客机，且设备缺乏，很少使用。
殿下兴建机场的建议令人感到欢迎，而我认为，只需要提升一下现有的机场设备，就能容纳下大型客机。
除了机场外，我建议政府也要关注码头的问题，挖深河床及兴建防浪坝，让渔船及渡轮能随时进出码头，刺激旅游。
陈亚发
带动周边经济发展
陈亚发（马华丰盛港区会主席）
我对兴建机场的建议非常欢迎，一旦落实，将带动丰盛港周边的经济发展，尤其是旅游业。
丰盛港也有一个可停小型飞机的机场，在前往军营的路上，但如今已荒废多时。
根据早前与开会释出的一些内容，有关方面如今正在物色地点兴建飞机场，并会做一个可供客机与军机双用的机场跑道。
李卓华
将刺激本地经济
李卓华（三板头新村村长）
我对殿下在丰盛港兴建机场的建议非常欢迎，这将刺激本地经济，并留住年轻人。
三板头新村距离丰盛港市大概22英里，由于发展停滞，新村的年轻人都是往大城市发展，寻找工作机会。
希望新机场的落实，将年轻人留在丰盛港。
～以上新闻转自中国报～
位于丰盛港斯里班台的小型飞机及直升机机场。
来得迟总比不来好！丰盛港兴建机场的计划再次被提及，当地商民无不期盼，希望机场刺激丰盛港发展之余，制造就业机会，留住年轻人。
柔佛苏丹依布拉欣为本季度柔州议会主持开幕仪式致御词时，建议柔州政府在丰盛港兴建机场，以促进丰盛港旅游发展，吸引更多游客到访岛屿。
殿下以国际都市迪拜为例，25年前，迪拜是被沙漠环绕，如果迪拜也可以成功，那么丰盛港只要拥有完善的公共基础建设，也可以成为一座繁荣的城市。
现有的丰盛港机场设备不齐全，急需提升。
探讨可行性
其实，丰盛港已经有一个可供小型飞机及直升机降落的机场，但时代久远，年久失修，设备也不齐全。
根据丰盛港村民了解，有关机场坐落在丰盛港斯里班台，距离丰盛港市区约10分钟车程。
有关机场由民航局（DCA）管理，是一个约足球场般大小的草场，只可供小型飞机及直升机起飞及降落。
据向村民了解，有关机场的设备残旧，很少有飞机降落。
另外，在今年2月14日，交通部长拿督斯里廖中莱在马华柔州联委会柔南区新年联欢会活动时曾透露，该部已收到柔州政府建议，以在丰盛港建造机场，该部会认真探讨可行性。
他当时也说，政府也会探讨若建造机场，应该建在云冰或丰盛港，以刺激当地旅游业。
鸟瞰丰盛港机场，现有的丰盛港机场就位于海岸线旁，是个只能让小型飞机及直升机降落的草场。
黄世忠：没一条大道直通 拖慢发展
丰盛港中华商会会长拿督黄世忠形容，丰盛港县不管在投资、工业或是旅游业发展，都是“最蜗牛”的。
他受访说，问题的根源，最主要还是交通，没有一条大道通往丰盛港，都需要使用联邦公路，犹如被孤立。
“若开车从北马或是吉隆坡过来，需要取道南北大道驶出亚依淡，再经过居銮等，中间道路弯弯曲曲，最快也需要两个多小时。”
“若从新山北上，路途也很遥远，如果在夜间行驶，整条路上没有路灯照明，非常危险，一直使人却步。”
他说，殿下此次提出兴建机场建议，让当地人都有一种久旱逢甘露的感觉，无不期盼万分。
他关注机场的建设地点和规划多大，也希望未来机场能增设内陆航班，刺激更多人到丰盛港设厂及旅游。
丰盛港县长久以来发展远远落后州内其他县属，并希望借着兴建机场，刺激当地经济起飞。
郑修强：计划进入讨论阶段
柔州旅游、商贸与消费人事务委员会主席拿督郑修强指出，丰盛港兴建机场计划已进入讨论阶段。
郑修强也是东海岸经济特区发展理事会成员之一，他说，该理事会一直在探讨，如何发展丰盛港。
他所说的发展项目，包括招商、设立现代化工业区及提升当地的旅游业。
他说，丰盛港是柔州一个重要的县，然而由于地处偏远，道路设施还不完善。
“如果要做到以上提到的3点，首要还是要提升丰盛港的交通连接性，以让物流更快速到达，其中一项建议就是兴建机场。”
郑修强说，有关兴建机场的建议其实一早已经提出讨论，机场的设计、地点等都是讨论的范围。
他说，有关计划更详细的内容，会再更适当时机再公布。
邢定波
小型机场缺乏设备
邢定波（丰盛港县居民代表联谊会主席）
丰盛港其实也有一个小型飞机场，就位于斯里班台，但只限于小型飞机降陆，无法容纳下大型客机，且设备缺乏，很少使用。
殿下兴建机场的建议令人感到欢迎，而我认为，只需要提升一下现有的机场设备，就能容纳下大型客机。
除了机场外，我建议政府也要关注码头的问题，挖深河床及兴建防浪坝，让渔船及渡轮能随时进出码头，刺激旅游。
陈亚发
带动周边经济发展
陈亚发（马华丰盛港区会主席）
我对兴建机场的建议非常欢迎，一旦落实，将带动丰盛港周边的经济发展，尤其是旅游业。
丰盛港也有一个可停小型飞机的机场，在前往军营的路上，但如今已荒废多时。
根据早前与开会释出的一些内容，有关方面如今正在物色地点兴建飞机场，并会做一个可供客机与军机双用的机场跑道。
李卓华
将刺激本地经济
李卓华（三板头新村村长）
我对殿下在丰盛港兴建机场的建议非常欢迎，这将刺激本地经济，并留住年轻人。
三板头新村距离丰盛港市大概22英里，由于发展停滞，新村的年轻人都是往大城市发展，寻找工作机会。
希望新机场的落实，将年轻人留在丰盛港。
～以上新闻转自中国报～
Matta supports tourism tax
Matta supports tourism tax, but ...
The Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta) is urging the Government to delay the rollout of the impending Tourism Tax (TTx), or at least parts of it.
While saying the association is behind the tax, its president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat said the Aug 1 implementation date may not be an ideal time.
The TTx will not only affect domestic tourists, but also Malaysians who have to travel for other purposes such as studies, medical treatments or family obligations.
"Those people who have to travel will have to travel, and they will be forced to pay for it. It doesn’t just affect tourists," he said on Wednesday.
Hamzah suggests the TTx be imposed on 4-star and 5-star hotels first, but be deferred on lower-rated hotels, hostels and accommodation premises to a later date.
“I’m not saying that this tax shouldn't be imposed at all, but now is not the time for it,” he said.
Hamzah added that domestic travel is currently picking up due to the high cost of overseas travel, and he was concerned that an additional tax would deter Malaysians from travelling domestically.
The Penang, Langkawi and Malacca state governments are already charging RM2 to RM9 depending on the type of hotel the guest is staying in.
Passed as part of the Tourism Tax Bill 2017, TTx will see local and international tourists paying a levy to the operators of accommodation premises.
The tax rate is fixed and charged on a per-room, per-night basis.
The rates are RM20 for five-star accommodations, RM10 for four-star accommodations, RM5 for one- to three-star accommodations, and RM2.50 for non-rated accommodations, including budget hotels.
Engineer Lim Chze Hong, 33, who travels twice a month for work, said the TTx would be an unnecessary burden for Malaysians and should only be imposed on foreign tourists.
"It is an extra burden on top of the funds we need to spend to travel outstation for work, regardless if the rooms are paid for by the company or not.
“If this is a ‘tourism tax’, then they should not impose the tax on anyone who books a room using their MyKad,” he said.
Meanwhile, 41-year-old writer Vivan Chong said that she wouldn't mind paying the tax if the revenue was used to develop the local tourism industry.
She however asked if there are solid plans in place regarding the funding.
"The rates are not a burden money-wise, but I think the real question is, who is this supposed to benefit in the first place and why are we being taxed for already contributing to the economy by travelling locally," she added.
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had said that the tax revenue would be spent mainly on tourism and infrastructure development throughout the country.
He said the tax was necessary because the Government needed to mitigate uncertainties in the oil-and-gas industry, adding that the Government was expected to collect about RM800mil annually through the new tax.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta) is urging the Government to delay the rollout of the impending Tourism Tax (TTx), or at least parts of it.
While saying the association is behind the tax, its president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat said the Aug 1 implementation date may not be an ideal time.
The TTx will not only affect domestic tourists, but also Malaysians who have to travel for other purposes such as studies, medical treatments or family obligations.
"Those people who have to travel will have to travel, and they will be forced to pay for it. It doesn’t just affect tourists," he said on Wednesday.
Hamzah suggests the TTx be imposed on 4-star and 5-star hotels first, but be deferred on lower-rated hotels, hostels and accommodation premises to a later date.
“I’m not saying that this tax shouldn't be imposed at all, but now is not the time for it,” he said.
Hamzah added that domestic travel is currently picking up due to the high cost of overseas travel, and he was concerned that an additional tax would deter Malaysians from travelling domestically.
The Penang, Langkawi and Malacca state governments are already charging RM2 to RM9 depending on the type of hotel the guest is staying in.
Passed as part of the Tourism Tax Bill 2017, TTx will see local and international tourists paying a levy to the operators of accommodation premises.
The tax rate is fixed and charged on a per-room, per-night basis.
The rates are RM20 for five-star accommodations, RM10 for four-star accommodations, RM5 for one- to three-star accommodations, and RM2.50 for non-rated accommodations, including budget hotels.
Engineer Lim Chze Hong, 33, who travels twice a month for work, said the TTx would be an unnecessary burden for Malaysians and should only be imposed on foreign tourists.
"It is an extra burden on top of the funds we need to spend to travel outstation for work, regardless if the rooms are paid for by the company or not.
“If this is a ‘tourism tax’, then they should not impose the tax on anyone who books a room using their MyKad,” he said.
Meanwhile, 41-year-old writer Vivan Chong said that she wouldn't mind paying the tax if the revenue was used to develop the local tourism industry.
She however asked if there are solid plans in place regarding the funding.
"The rates are not a burden money-wise, but I think the real question is, who is this supposed to benefit in the first place and why are we being taxed for already contributing to the economy by travelling locally," she added.
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had said that the tax revenue would be spent mainly on tourism and infrastructure development throughout the country.
He said the tax was necessary because the Government needed to mitigate uncertainties in the oil-and-gas industry, adding that the Government was expected to collect about RM800mil annually through the new tax.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Thursday, June 8, 2017
所有酒店8月起 向房客征旅游税
所有酒店8月起 向房客征旅游税
马来西亚政府宣布，从8月1日起，所有酒店将向房客征收每晚介于2.5令吉至20令吉的旅游税。
征税介于2.5至20令吉 视酒店级别而定
据关税局发表的公告，业者可从7月1日起向关税局登记。该局也列出不同酒店应征收的旅游税：五星级酒店20令吉；四星级酒店10令吉；一、二及三星级酒店5令吉；一、二及三胡姬花级酒店2.5令吉；无级别住宿2.5令吉。
无论如何，五种酒店及民宿可豁免登记及征收旅游税，分别为向旅游部民宿（Homestay）计划、甘榜住宿（Kampungstay）计划民宿、宗教团体所创办及注册的非商业用途住宿、少过10间客房的住宿及国州政府机构所经营的非商业用途住宿。
关税局说，业者必须在30天内向关税局注册，违例者可被判罚款不超过三万令吉或坐牢不超过一年，或两者兼施。
去年，旅游部长纳兹里坦承，由于国库收入减少，必须征收旅游税，作为推广马来西亚旅游业的经费。他预计这将为国家带来高达8.7亿令吉的税收。
由于马国目前落实消费税，加上马六甲、槟城及浮罗交怡的酒店早已征收文化遗产保护费、地方政府管理费及旅游推广费，因此酒店业者称这将进一步剥弱马来西亚旅游业的竞争力，因为一旦落实新的旅游税，国內酒店就会被征收双重或三重税务。
尽管旅游业者反对，但国会在4月通过了2017年旅游税法案。根据该法令，酒店业者必须向游客征收旅游税，游客若没有缴税，可被禁离境，直到还清旅游税为止，或给予一些能让关税局总监满意的抵押或保障。
~联合早报~
马来西亚政府宣布，从8月1日起，所有酒店将向房客征收每晚介于2.5令吉至20令吉的旅游税。
征税介于2.5至20令吉 视酒店级别而定
据关税局发表的公告，业者可从7月1日起向关税局登记。该局也列出不同酒店应征收的旅游税：五星级酒店20令吉；四星级酒店10令吉；一、二及三星级酒店5令吉；一、二及三胡姬花级酒店2.5令吉；无级别住宿2.5令吉。
无论如何，五种酒店及民宿可豁免登记及征收旅游税，分别为向旅游部民宿（Homestay）计划、甘榜住宿（Kampungstay）计划民宿、宗教团体所创办及注册的非商业用途住宿、少过10间客房的住宿及国州政府机构所经营的非商业用途住宿。
关税局说，业者必须在30天内向关税局注册，违例者可被判罚款不超过三万令吉或坐牢不超过一年，或两者兼施。
去年，旅游部长纳兹里坦承，由于国库收入减少，必须征收旅游税，作为推广马来西亚旅游业的经费。他预计这将为国家带来高达8.7亿令吉的税收。
由于马国目前落实消费税，加上马六甲、槟城及浮罗交怡的酒店早已征收文化遗产保护费、地方政府管理费及旅游推广费，因此酒店业者称这将进一步剥弱马来西亚旅游业的竞争力，因为一旦落实新的旅游税，国內酒店就会被征收双重或三重税务。
尽管旅游业者反对，但国会在4月通过了2017年旅游税法案。根据该法令，酒店业者必须向游客征收旅游税，游客若没有缴税，可被禁离境，直到还清旅游税为止，或给予一些能让关税局总监满意的抵押或保障。
~联合早报~
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