Airport levy amounts to double taxation, says MCA's Wee

Ravin Palanisamy Ravin Palanisamy Updated 5 years ago · Published on 2 Nov 2018 10:00PM · 4 Comments

MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong says Budget 2019 is just a repackaged version of the previous BN budget. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 2, 2018.

THE new airport levy introduced in Budget 2019 will only further burden the people, who are already facing high cost of living levels, said MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong.

The Ayer Hitam MP said the people were already paying airport tax.

“For the people, RM20 or RM40 is a burden. The Pakatan government shouldn’t impose this as the people are also paying airport tax.

“It’s a form of tax. There shouldn’t be any double taxation,” he said.

In the budget tabled by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng today, the government proposed imposing a departure levy for all outbound travellers by air starting June 1, 2019.

The proposed rate is two-tiered: RM20 for outbound travellers to Asean countries and RM40 to other countries.

This is to encourage domestic tourism, said Lim.

Wee also slammed Lim for abolishing toll fares for motorcycles for the First and Second Penang Bridge, when he (the finance minister) had previously criticised former prime minister Najib Razak for suggesting the same thing before the 14th general election.

He said Lim had then wanted to abolish toll fares for all vehicles.

“In the past, he (Lim) whacked Najib when the then PM said if we (BN) continue to rule or if we win Penang, we will abolish the toll fare for motorcycles.

“Now, what has happened? Lim is just repeating what Najib said last time,” said the MCA’s sole representative in Parliament.

Wee also said he did not expect the PH government to fulfil its election promises based on the proposed budget.

He added the PH budget was just a repackaged version of BN’s previous budget, giving the cost of living financial aid as an example.

“They (PH) can give you a new scheme but in the end, it was just renamed. But the ‘ingredients’ may be a bit different,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Earlier, Umno leaders Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Khairy Jamaluddin and Bung Mokhtar Radin also said that the newly tabled budget was a mere copy of the previous BN budget. – November 2, 2018.

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Comments

  • Crying wee wee, go F yourself and shut up. What's RM20-RM40 to travellers when they can afford to holiday overseas! It's another way to increase the government revenue without burdening the general public.
    Perhaps the government could exempt the student who study overseas from paying the tax.

    Posted 5 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

    • On the other hand, ppl who can afford to study overseas why still they bother about 20 or 40 bucks?

      Posted 5 years ago by Kevin Teh · Reply

    • Government should charge diff tier of tax, for example business class or first class need to pay more. Just like our tourism hotel tax in Penang, higher star rating hotel need to pay more tax.

      Posted 5 years ago by Kevin Teh · Reply

  • The more you travel the more you pay mind set...that's fair...some people can't afford to have a decent meal.

    Posted 5 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply