Expect Labuan to fare worse

LABUAN: The Chinese Chamber of Commerce here lamented the Ministry of Finance decision to abolish the sale of duty-free cigarettes on the island effective Jan 1 this year, adding no previous government had done such and that it will leave a stabbing wound on the local economy.

Its Chairman Datuk Wong Kii Yii disclosed that the had written a letter of appeal to Finance Minister Tengku Dato Sri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz on Dec 5 proposing a dialogue on the issue or to send a team here to investigate before proceeding with the Budget proposal to impose duty on sale of cigarettes here.

The letter was also copied to Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa and the Chairman of Labuan Corporation, Datuk Sri Amir Hussien.

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“We are still eagerly waiting for response as duty-free is a historical legacy from Colonial rule. Initially, cigarettes and beer were not included in the free port status but later to boost the local economy”.

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