Sarawak owed RM2.7 mln of tourism tax revenue

January 4, 2019

Karim with (from right) Hii, Lee, Wahab and Audry during the press conference.

KUCHING: Sarawak has yet to receive revenue from tourism taxes amounting to around RMRM2.7 million from the federal government.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during a press conference after the launching of the Sarawak Tourism Awards 2017/2018 at the Old Court building on Thursday evening (Jan 3).

“At the State Assembly sitting last November, I have also mentioned that we have not received the payment of the tourism tax revenue from the federal government. I do not know what is the reason behind it but we will continue to push for it,” he said.

‘Check if tourism tax has any effect on tourist arrival’

July 5, 2018

KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture should conduct a thorough study on the tourism tax to see if it does have any affect on Malaysia’s tourism industry.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said if indeed the tourism tax did have affect on the tourism industry in the country, it should be reviewed.

“It’s better to conduct a thorough study on whether the tourism tax on foreigners is affecting the industry or otherwise. If it does, then it’s good for it to be reviewed. But if it’s not, then it’s better not to review it as it’s good income for the government coffer and for upgrading tourism facilities,” he said when contacted yesterday.