Karim (centre) with (from right) Hii, Lee, Wahab and Audry during the press conference. – Photo by Chimon Upon
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.
According to Karim, the amount yet to be paid to Sarawak from Sept 1 to Dec 31 2017 was RM439,731.
Whereas from Jan 1 to Sept 2018, the amount which was not paid by the federal government through the Finance Ministry was RM2.32 million.
“Sabah has received the tourism tax revenue and I know this because I have just returned from Sabah after meeting with Sabah’s deputy chief minister and also Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew Chin Jin,” said Karim.
He added that although the amount may be small, it would be very useful to further boost the tourism industry in Sarawak.
“Whether it is RM100,000 or other amount, it is our right and the federal government must pay us.
“The people of Sarawak need to know about this and our chief minister is very concerned about Sarawak including my ministry, and he knows what is needed to be done,” he stressed.
Karim also believes that the Federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi should take note of this matter for the benefit of Sarawak and the tourism industry.
“The payment of tourism tax revenue is under the Finance Ministry and you all know who is the minister,” added Karim.
Also present were Assister Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak Tourism Board chairman and Kalaka assemblyman Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Hii Chang Kee and Sarawak Tourism Federation Audry Wan Ullok and other guests.