Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin welcomed City Hall’s (DBKK) proposal to increase hotel licensing fees to increase DBKK’s revenue.
He sees it as a better approach to increase local government revenue, as opposed to raising trading licence fees across the board without considering whether certain industries are performing well or otherwise.
AdvertisementChan, who is Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament, said Sabah received 400,000 tourists from China last year since the government introduced visa-free entry for Chinese visitors.
“This proves the tourism industry in Sabah is booming, especially in Kota Kinabalu and Semporna.
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DBKK has proposed reviewing and reinstating the original hotel licensing fees introduced in 1966. Mayor Dato’ Sri Dr Sabin Samitah said the rates were reduced in 1989 due to economic instability and a decline in tourist arrivals then.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});He said the hospitality industry, which benefits significantly from the influx of tourists, has a role to play in maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of the city.
DBKK has submitted a proposal to the State Cabinet to reconsider the original rates.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Chan commended Dr Sabin for seeking ways to increase DBKK’s revenue without compromising the interests of the people.
He said all local governments are short of funds but their approach in generating more revenue should not be done at the expense of the people.
He cited the removal of diesel subsidy in Peninsular Malaysia but not for East Malaysia because 80 per cent of diesel vehicles are in Sabah and Sarawak.
"If diesel prices increase in East Malaysia, it will directly raise inflation rates. However, the effect in Peninsular Malaysia is not that drastic.
“These are the factors that the government have to consider.
“Only when you become government you realise how expensive everything is.”
Chan also urged opposition parties not to oppose for the sake of opposing, as they too, had once been in the position of power.
“Leaders in the ruling and opposition parties have been the government at one point.”
Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah president Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen said RM45,600 worth of ang pows were given out to 318 elderly members this year.
Of the 162 recipients who attended the event, 120 members are in their seventies, 33 members in their eighties, and nine are nonagenarians.
The eldest nonagenarian was Susan’s mother, Datin Seri Panglima Chen Si Mui, who is 95. She received a RM1,000 ang pow and a trophy.
On another note, Susan said the association has renewed and extended the lease tenure of its building at Jalan Pantai with Stanton Hotel for another 31 years.
She said the association will have steady income from the lease for three decades, and not having to bear the cost of maintenance and repair of the building as well.
Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah will be hosting the United Sabah Sze Yip Association Chinese New Year Celebration this year on February 15.
The programme includes fun games at Benoni, Papar in the morning, followed by watching a movie at 10Star Cinemas, and Lunar New Year dinner at Magellan Sutera Harbour in the evening.