Travellers Need To Pay A RM1 Levy When Departing From Any Malaysian Airport Starting 2018
Exceptions would be made for those flying with the rural air services in Sabah and Sarawak.
By Tang Ruxyn — 16 Aug 2017, 11:47 AM
A new RM1 levy is expected to be imposed on all travellers who depart from Malaysian airports next year
Malaysia Aviation Commission (Mavcom) is seeking to collect regulatory service charges on both companies and individuals that depart from Malaysian Airports by amending the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2016.
The matter was confirmed on Tuesday, 14 August, by chief operating officer (CEO) Azmir Zain who said, "I can confirm there is a definite plan by Mavcom to charge RM1 levy to all departing passengers with exception of those flying the rural air services in Sabah and Sarawak."
Channel News Asia reported that the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Amendment) Bill would be tabled in the next sitting of Parliament in October.
If the amendment bill to expand Mavcom's powers is passed, the new levy is set to begin in January 2018.
According to Azmir, Mavcom is expecting to accumulate RM30 million in the first year of collection
"The purpose of the RM1 levy is to ensure financial sustenance and more importantly the independence of the commission," he explained.
He also revealed that Mavcom is currently reviewing the passenger service charge (PSC) for for long-haul flights at klia2. It is said that the PSC could potentially be raised from the existing RM50 to RM73.
Azmir said that this is to equalise the charges in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and klia2.
However, he pointed out that customers have been saving RM30 ever since Mavcom lowered the (PSC) from RM65 to RM35 flat for all ASEAN destinations.
The revised rate came into effect on 1 January 2017.
The first reading of the amendment bill to impose the new levy was tabled in the parliament by Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Aziz last week
The deputy minister told The Malaysian Reserve last week that the levy will be imposed so that Mavcom could operate without depending on funds from the government.
He revealed that the government have been supporting the independent body for the past two years, since its inception on 1 March 2016.
"A regulator's fee is normal in other countries and we are being very reasonable by charging a minimal RM1 on each passenger," Abdul Aziz was quoted as saying.
Do you agree with the government's move to impose the new levy so that Mavcom could become financially independent? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.