Tourism tax for Sabah to remain at 50%
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi stressed that the Malaysian Tourism Tax (TTX) collec on for Sabah would remain at 50 per cent.
KOTA KINABALU: Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi stressed that the Malaysian Tourism Tax (TTX) collection for Sabah would remain at 50 per cent.
He said to his knowledge, the ministry had not received any official requests to return 100% of the TTX to the state.
“That I do not know, but normally we will follow what had been set by the federal government. That's it,” he said after officiating at the Festival Kraf Borneo 2018 at Lintasan Deasoka here yesterday.
“Not about supporting or not supporting, but so far we will follow the rules that have been set by the federal government,” he reiterated when asked whether he was for the 100% TTX return to Sabah or not.
“Nothing has been discussed yet. Indeed, it had been like that from the very beginning,” he said when asked whether the motion was being considered by the federal government.
“Not at the moment. No, I don't think so. Yes, as it is now. Yes, we maintain,” he added.
The minister said the ministry would look into and study the need should there be a request from the state government but said it would most likely be maintained so that it would be fair for all the states.
Former state tourism, culture and environment minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun had stated that since Sabah generated the second-most tourism income for the country, it should be allowed to retain all the tourism tax it collected on behalf of Putrajaya.
Masidi said the federal government should allocate 100% collections to the state to ensure the sector remained vibrant.
The tourism tax was implemented last year on September 1 and saw nearly RM40 million collected in three months.
Sabah was the second highest earner at RM4.53 million after Kuala Lumpur, who contributed RM16.6 million.