KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 — Malaysia’s inbound tourism sector is calling on the government to introduce tax relief and rebates as a faster, targeted form of assistance amid rising diesel costs.
Mint Leong, president of the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, said tax-based measures would be more efficient than implementing direct fuel subsidies.
Which could involve a more complex process. She proposed that the Inland Revenue Board provide tax reductions during annual filings for licensed tour agencies and transport operators.
Allowing them to offset rising operational costs. Leong noted that tourism transport providers, particularly tour buses and vans.
Rely heavily on diesel and are struggling to cope with price increases linked to global conflicts. She suggested leveraging the e-Invoice system to assess industry activity and deliver more precise aid.
While advocating tax relief as a “shortcut” solution, she also called for targeted diesel subsidies of 3,000 litres for tour buses and 2,500 litres for vans.
MITA warned that operators may raise prices by up to 80 per cent if cost pressures persist.
