KUCHING, August 21: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii hopes the exemption of Sales and Services Tax (SST) on intrastate flights will result in cheaper airfares in the two states and also promote domestic tourism.
“I highly welcome and thank the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government in giving exemption to the intrastate flights within Sabah and Sarawak from Sales and Services Tax (SST).
“This exemption should reduce the burden of consumers, including tax exemption on intrastate flight tickets, which I hope could reduce the cost of flying within Sarawak and within Sabah,” said Dr Yii in a statement.
He said such a move also showed Putrajaya understood the needs of Sabah and Sarawak, which rely heavily on air travel due to the big land areas as well as the lack of proper road connectivity within Sarawak and Sabah.
“This will also directly be a boost to our tourism industry in the state, including encouraging Malaysians to travel locally.
“This also enables more locals and tourists to enjoy tourist attractions in the state while boosting the economy through local spending and also providing jobs for the locals, especially those involved in the tourism industry,” he said.
He believed that with more travel within Sarawak and Sabah, the hotels, taxi drivers, handicraft sellers, food hawkers and many others would benefit, too.
“Our country’s economy has been slow due to corruption, bad governance and over spending by the previous Barisan Nasional government.
“The tax exemption is a good way and a step in the right direction to further promote local spending, build businesses and also help increase job opportunities for the locals in Sabah and Sarawak,” he added. — DayakDaily
