18/7/2026

SATURDAY | JULY 18, 2026

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Tax abolition could spur world-class theme parks

No govt interference in MMC Port affairs PETALING JAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the government does not interfere in company management, including appointments to senior positions, following MMC Port Holdings’ decision to appoint veteran Dubai ports executive Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem as its executive chairman. He said the government’s role was limited to regulating shareholding matters. “The government does not intervene in management appointments,”he said at the ministry in Putrajaya yesterday. Loke added that companies were not required to report management appointments to the government and were free to appoint whoever they deemed suitable to run the business. His remarks came after Reuters reported on Wednesday that Sultan Ahmed, the former chairman and CEO of Dubai-based logistics giant DP World, would take charge of MMC Port. Citing an internal memo dated July 12 addressed to MMC Port management and chief executives of its operating ports, Reuters reported that all matters previously handled by the group CEO should now be sent directly to Sultan Ahmed’s office. The memo confirmed that group CEO Datuk Azman Shah Mohd Yusof had ceased serving in the role with immediate effect, although it did not state the reason for his departure or when a permanent successor would be named. The interim reporting structure, according to the memo, is intended to maintain continuity in leadership, governance and decision-making, while ensuring strategic projects and day-to-day operations at MMC Port continue without disruption. Reuters also reported that Sultan Ahmed became MMC Port’s executive chairman after resigning from DP World in February 2026, following scrutiny over previously redacted email exchanges with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein that were released by the US Justice Department. He has not publicly commented on the contents of the communications. Reuters reported that the documents showed no direct evidence linking him to Epstein’s sex crimes or trafficking offences, and that he was never charged in connection with the case. National Book Awards open for nominations KUALA LUMPUR: Nominations for the 21st National Book Awards are now open until Sept 15, recognising excellence in Malaysia’s publishing industry across scholarly, academic, professional and general publications. Organised by the Orange Economy Consortium in collaboration with the National Book Development Foundation and Yayasan Teras Utama, the awards are scheduled to be held from Nov 6 to Nov 8. In a statement yesterday, OEC managing director Dr Hasan Hamzah said nominations were open to publishers from public and private universities, TVET institutions, members of the Malaysian Scholarly Publishing Council and publishing associations. Bumiputera book publishers and government agencies, including the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute and Forest Research Institute Malaysia, are also invited to participate. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of professional judges chaired by National Book Awards Advisory Council chairman Tan Sri Prof Emeritus Dr Anuwar Ali, with judging scheduled to take place from Sept 15 to Oct 15. Hasan said OEC was also organising the 11th Telenovela Awards to recognise local novels and works of fiction that had been successfully adapted into television drama series, telemovies or films for broadcast and streaming platforms. He said the awards covered productions aired on television stations such as RTM, TV3 and Astro as well as over-the-top streaming platforms, including Viu, Netflix and similar services. – Bernama

o Removing outdated entertainment levy would lower ticket prices, attract investment and boost tourism: Mafta

He urged the government to introduce a bold reform that would benefit Malaysian families, attract new investment, create quality jobs and ensure the attractions industry could compete on equal footing with the best in the region. Koh said Matfa remained committed to delivering high-quality, family-friendly experiences that complemented the country’s cultural heritage, natural beauty and hospitality, in the spirit of the “Malaysia Truly Asia” tagline. “We believe a more supportive fiscal framework will not only strengthen the attractions industry but also deliver long-term benefits to the local economy, including hotels, transport providers, food retailers and local communities,” he said. Malaysian Association for Arts, Live Events, Concerts and Festivals senior adviser Rizal Kamal also echoed the call for reform. “Organisers now face different tax rates, approval processes and interpretations depending on the state where events are held. “We want a stable, long-term policy that creates confidence. Confidence attracts investment,” he said. Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors chairman Koh Mei Lee said about 600 cinemas nationwide had not undergone major refurbishment in more than a decade. “If the entertainment tax is removed or reduced, we will be able to refurbish and renovate cinemas to ensure the industry’s long term sustainability,” she said.

risks losing new investments and tourism spending unless we modernise our tax framework.” Koh said the tax was outdated and no longer reflected the role of modern theme parks and family attractions as major contributors to tourism, employment and economic growth. The tax had contributed to higher ticket prices, making visits less affordable for families with children. Matfa is appealing to the federal government to use Budget 2027 to abolish the Entertainment Duty Tax on theme parks, family attractions and children’s playlands. Koh said operators in the region were surprised that Malaysia still imposed an old entertainment tax on theme parks, placing local operators at a disadvantage compared with competitors in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. “We respectfully urge the government to give serious consideration to abolishing the entertainment tax in Budget 2027,” he said. Abolishing the tax would lower ticket prices, stimulate domestic tourism, encourage repeat visits and strengthen Malaysia’s appeal to international tourists. “Rather than viewing this as a loss of tax revenue, it should be seen as an investment in the country’s tourism economy. “Increased visitor spending, stronger private investment and higher business activity can generate broader tax revenue that benefits both the federal and state governments,” he said.

Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia could develop its own world-class theme parks like Universal Studios or Disneyland if the outdated Entertainment Duty Tax is abolished, said the Malaysian Association of Theme Parks and Family Attractions. Its president Tan Sri Richard Koh said neighbouring Singapore abolished entertainment tax years ago and is now home to Universal Studios Singapore, which attracts millions of visitors annually. “The Entertainment Duty Tax, introduced decades ago under a different economic landscape, has been a big stumbling block to growth opportunities in the industry. “Hong Kong has Disneyland without such a tax. Malaysia can also have our own world class theme parks. “As neighbouring countries continue to adopt investment-friendly policies, Malaysia GEORGE TOWN: Penang Water Supply Corporation (PWSC) said it needs an estimated RM2.1 billion to complete critical water supply projects by 2030, defending the state’s recent water tariff increase as necessary to secure Penang’s future water needs. Its CEO Datuk K. Pathmanathan said the projects, to be implemented under the Water Contingency Plan 2030, include the construction of new water treatment plants, upgrades to existing facilities, land acquisition and major pipeline works. He said the projects could not be delayed as Penang’s daily water demand is projected to increase from 865 million litres per day in 2025 to at least 1,162 million litres per day by 2032, driven by industrial expansion, new residential developments and landmark projects such as Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 and Silicon Island. “Any further delay would be irresponsible because it would incur an unacceptably high risk of a water shortage in Penang on or before 2030,” he said in a statement yesterday. The revised water tariffs took effect on July 1, a year after the Penang government deferred their implementation. The corporation said about 82% of households would pay no more than an additional RM2.55 a month under the revised rates, while businesses consuming 500m³ of water monthly would pay an additional RM77.70. Pathmanathan said the revised tariffs were expected to generate an additional RM20 million in profits in the second half of the year. He said PBA Holdings Bhd, a Penang state government-linked company in which the state holds a 55% majority stake, had allocated about 87% of its RM114.5 million profit after tax for Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PWSC defends tariff hike for RM2.1b critical projects

Pathmanathan said the revised tariffs were expected to generate an additional RM20 million in profits in the second half of the year. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

He added that total projected investment for the six remaining projects, scheduled for completion in 2032, was about RM2.1 billion. Pathmanathan also urged the public not to be misled by claims that PWSC could delay the tariff increase or rely solely on federal grants and loans to finance water supply projects. “If such claims were true, the federal government would not have gazetted new water rates for 10 states in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan on July 30, 2025. It could have provided grants and loans for all water projects in all the states instead.”

2025 as capital expenditure for water supply projects in Penang. “Accordingly, the primary beneficiaries of PBAHB’s 2025 profit after tax are, in fact, the 721,066 registered water consumers in Penang,” he said. Pathmanathan said PWSC’s annual profits alone were insufficient to finance the estimated RM2.1 billion needed to complete the remaining six Water Contingency Plan 2030 projects, making both the tariff revision and the utility’s RM5 billion sukuk programme necessary.