KUCHING, Aug 3: Travellers flying out from Malaysia will have to pay a departure tax ranging from RM8 to RM150 starting this Sept 1.
The Departure Levy Bill 2019, which was passed by the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara this year, was officially gazetted by the federal government on July 31.
According to a MalayMail, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the departure levy rates will depend on the destination and flight class.
Those travelling on economy class from Malaysia to Asean countries will be required to pay a levy of RM8 while those on other flight classes will pay RM50.
Asean member states comprised of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
For flights to countries outside of Asean region, passengers on economy class will have to pay RM20, while in other flight classes will be charged RM150.
Citing the Departure Levy (Rate of Departure Levy) Order 2019, economy class refers to flights that are advertised and sold by airlines using economic terms or their equivalent, or having the lowest prices when compared to other packages.
However, the departure levy will not be imposed on infants and todders aged below 24 months, or pedestrians.
Also exempted from paying the departure levy are aircraft passengers transiting via Malaysia, provided that the transit period does not exceed 12 hours; and any crew on duty on board any vehicle (including aircraft or vessel), and anyone driving or riding any type of vehicle for personal use (including aircraft or vessel) and pillion riders or passengers of such vehicles.
Lim proposed the levy when tabling Budget 2019 in November last year which he emphasised was to encourage domestic tourism.
According to the Departure Levy Act 2019’s Section 9, anyone who fails to pay the departure levy where applicable may be fined up to RM500,000, imprisoned up to three years, or both.— DayakDaily
