SHAH ALAM: Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his willingness to consider a proposal aimed at restoring Langkawi’s duty-free status as a means to revitalise the island’s economy.
Muhammad Sanusi also commended the Prime Minister for his prompt response following the royal address by the Sultan of Kedah, Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, during the opening ceremony of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly sitting on April 13.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister and the Federal Government for their swift response to the issues raised by the Kedah State Legislative Assembly in the royal address by His Royal Highness and during the debate by state assemblymen, which received a positive response from the Prime Minister,” he said after attending the Aidilfitri gathering for the Kedah diaspora at IDCC here, Bernama reported.
He said the state government was still targeting an increase in tourist arrivals to Langkawi from two million in 2025 to four million this year.
“I have stated that imposing taxes will deter people from visiting Langkawi, leading to losses in other sectors. Langkawi generates economic returns of between RM4bil and RM7bil annually to the Federal Government from the tourism sector alone,” he said.
He proposed strengthening Langkawi’s duty-free island status by expanding the range of duty-free items, including luxury cars.
He also urged the government to maintain the current list of items, as any reduction could negatively impact tourist numbers.
Muhammad Sanusi also highlighted the need for fuel subsidies for ferry services to Langkawi, which he said were pricier than those to other island destinations such as Pangkor and Tioman.
