Pangkor ready for duty-free status but alcoholic drinks won’t be tax-free

Perak has upgraded facilities such as jetties, landscaping and lighting to welcome more tourists to Pulau Pangkor to do duty-free shopping from Jan 1. (Facebook pic)

IPOH: Preparations to turn Pulau Pangkor into a duty-free island on Jan 1, 2020 is now almost 95% completed, said State Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee chairman Tan Kar Hing.

He said the state government had upgraded facilities such as jetties, landscape and lighting.

‘’All preparations are proceeding according to schedule and I am confident on Jan 1, 2020, visitors will be able to buy duty-free goods,’’ he told a media conference after a Selangor Persona Tour Programme here today.

Tan stressed that it was the stand of the state government that alcohol be not listed as a tax-free item on Pulau Pangkor currently.

However, he said the policy may be reviewed if there was demand, based on logical factors.

Tan said Perak expected a 3-5% hike in the number of tourists to the state next year.

For the past three consecutive years, Perak had recorded 7.6 million domestic tourists, he said.

Meanwhile, Selangor Tourism and Culture, Malay Civilisation and Heritage Committee chairman Abdul Rashid Asari, who was also present, said Selangor targeted the arrival of eight million tourists next year.

‘’As of September this year, Selangor had recorded 5.38 million tourists, a 4% increase compared with the same period last year,’’ he added. - FMT