YOURSAY | ‘The haphazard decision-making process reflects very badly on the gov’t.’

Nazri: No tourism tax for Malaysians at all hotels

Vijay47: Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz has announced that Malaysians will be exempted from the tourism tax, regardless of whether they stay at luxury hotels or budget inns.

What is this "exemption for Malaysians" in aid of, Nazri? Are we all supposed to cheer that our government cares?

And of the RM10 collected, RM1 goes to the relevant state. Where does the balance of RM9 go to? Maybe you could also share with us the reason for this brilliant idea and who first came out with it.

So, whether a foreigner stays at the Ritz or Hotel Ah Chong, he or she has to fork out RM10? Like I said, sheer brilliance.

If you ask me, I am dead set against discriminatory pricing schemes, whether in Malaysia or elsewhere.

Slumdog: What a monumental backdown after being very determined to introduce a tourism tax to raise revenue.

This is what happens when Nazri tries to implement an unpopular tax without adequately consulting with key stakeholders.

Anonymous 2436471476414726: The disagreement with Sarawak would not have happened if federal ministers would listen more and talk less.

By the way, only 10 percent of the tax will be returned to the state government? This is too little. It looks like Putrajaya is really desperate for cash to pay off its debts.

Anonymous 2460391489930458: Why can't ministers debate policy matters in Parliament and make a firm decision before announcing these new rulings?

The haphazard decision-making process and subsequent changes all reflect very badly on the government.

Legit: Nazri, why don't you get rid of the tax for everybody, including foreigners? It is counterproductive to tourism promotion.

As it is, there are many taxes charged when one stays in a hotel. The prices you pay for anything you consume and for any service provided are exorbitant.

Adding to the bill is not exactly going to make people patronise the hotels more. Have some sense before you make any new policies.

Sinan Belawan: It’s the domestic tourists who will sustain the tourism industry, particularly during an economic crisis.

During the Asian Financial Crisis, Indonesia provided various incentives for locals to travel within Indonesia. This worked as large numbers of Indonesians travelled for holidays to popular tourist destinations like Bali, Bandung, et cetera.

Worried Sick: Nazri must be the laughing stock of all Malaysians now. Imagine a cabinet minister flip-flopping on a major issue and even threatening a state minister.

It is time that an IQ test be done on any person who is to be appointed to the cabinet because we need ministers who are sane, mentally stable, competent and able to earn the respect (maybe even adoration) of the ordinary rakyat.

Ministers are, after all, the Agong's ministers, aren't they? Why shame our king?

Dr M: I know contents of BNM, MACC and audit reports on 1MDB

Anonymous_1399778124: Former prime minister and Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad claimed to know the contents of the reports on 1MDB by three authorities, namely Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the auditor-general.

As such, he challenged attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali to swear on the Quran, saying he knew that the public prosecutor was lying when he cleared Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of wrongdoing in relation to the RM2.6 billion found in his private bank account.

These are serious accusations levelled at a retired judge of the Federal Court who has become the new attorney-general by political appointment.

As any judge would know if something stinks - and any judge would know what constitutes the right thing to do in a situation like this - Apandi must immediately explain himself and support his words with evidence, or else sue Mahathir for defamation.

Silence and mere denial, as good judges say, is not an option.

Kingfisher: Unfortunately, this public revelation by Mahathir will possibly be perceived by some, if not many, in the legal fraternity as a final nail in the conscience and moral uprightness of a certain serving attorney-general.

One is also left wondering if it will also reflect poorly on the discretionary powers of the institutional authorities to classify the said information under the Official Secrets Act 1972.

FellowMalaysian: I am positive and quite certain that Mahathir knew the contents of all three reports on 1MDB.

Even if former deputy prime minister and current Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin had not informed him about this, Mahathir would have received such important information from other reliable sources.

Although political observers had expected Mahathir to divulge insider information along the way, he has been particularly frustrated and piqued by Apandi's consistent bulwark in defending Najib.

It is not likely that Apandi will yield soon, and it seems that the situation will remain a stalemate for some time to come.

Alternatively, should he possess evidence of the contents of the reports, a last resort might be to take Najib and Apandi to court.

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