Chong wants state govt to show stand against new tourism tax

MIRI: The state Democratic Action Party ( DAP) wants the state government to show its stand in opposing the soon-tobe-implemented tourism tax, which is the equivalent of the Goods and Services Tax ( GST) in the country.

Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen, who is DAP Sarawak chairman, said the tourism tax is ‘actually similar’ to GST.

“BN ( Barisan Nasional) Sarawak has objected strongly to the implementation of tourism tax, which will take effect on July 1 this year.

“The tourism tax is actually similar to GST; the former is a tax on the services provided by hotels and accommodation premises, while the latter is a tax on goods and services,” he told reporters during a press conference at DAP Miri headquarters yesterday.

Chong, who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman, stressed that sixpre cent GST had been hurting the economy after its implementation on April 1, 2015. It was introduced to replace the 10 per cent sales tax and another six per cent for services tax.

“If BN Sarawak is truly concerned about the people’s welfare and economy, they should show the same strong stand against the GST too, on top of the tourism tax,” he said.

The new tourism tax has set the rate of RM2.50 to RM20 per night stay at registered hotels and accommodations across the country.