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Tag: holiday

  • Tourism Tax To Be Implemented On Aug 1: M’sia Customs Department

    Tourism Tax To Be Implemented On Aug 1: M’sia Customs Department

    The implementation of the Tourism Tax (TTx) will begin on August 1 this year, as announced by the Malaysian Customs Department on their website.

    Prior to the enforcement date, operators of accommodation premises are required to register their businesses starting July 1.

    Regulated by the Finance Ministry and the Customs Department, the tax is charged at a specific rate on tourists staying at any accommodation premises provided by an operator of the said accommodation premises.

    These accommodation premises are buildings including hostels, hotels, inns, boarding-houses, rest houses and lodging houses, held out by the proprietor, owner or manager, either wholly or partly, as offering lodging or sleeping accommodation to tourists for hire or any other form of reward, whether or not food or drink is also offered.

    Tourist accommodation premises are any accommodation which have been registered by the Commissioner under subsection 31C (1) Tourism Industry Act 1992.

    It is stated in the announcement that this tax is implemented using a mechanism of cooperation between the government and the industry to enhance tourism experience for tourists.

    Tax returns will be used to develop the tourism industry, namely the enhancement of tourism infrastructure and facilities, tourism promotional activities and campaigns.

    Implementation of this tax is also an effort to protect, preserve and conserve Mother Nature, culture and heritage for the benefit of the present and future generations.

    According to the announcement, tax rate is fixed at RM20 (S$6.50) per room per night (five-star), RM10 (S$3.20) per room per night (four-star), RM5 (S$1.60) per room per night (one-, two- and three-star), RM2.50 (S$0.80) per room per night (one, two and three Orchid) and RM2.50 (S$0.80) per room per night (non-rated accommodation premises).

    Whether Malaysian nationals or otherwise, a “tourist” defines any persons visiting any place in Malaysia for purposes including recreation or holiday, culture, religion, visiting friends or relatives, sports, business, meetings, conferences, seminars or conventions, studies or research, any other purpose which is not related to an occupation that is remunerated from the place visited.

    Under the TTx, the registered operator is liable to collect tourism tax from a tourist upon his or her departure and pay the tourism tax collected to the Customs Department in respect of his taxable period.

    The announcement also stated that an exemption of the tourism tax is available for ‘homestay’ registered with Ministry of Tourism and Culture, ‘kampung stay’ registered with Motac, accommodation premises established and maintained by religious institutions not for commercial purposes or accommodation premises with less than 10 rooms.

    Accommodation premises operated by the Federal Government, State Government or statutory body for training, educational or accommodation not for commercial purposes are also eligible for the exemption.

     

    Source: http://www.todayonline.com/

  • Singaporean Tourist Consumed ‘Magic Mushrooms’ Drink, Jumps To Death In Bali

    Singaporean Tourist Consumed ‘Magic Mushrooms’ Drink, Jumps To Death In Bali

    A 23-year-old Singaporean tourist died after reportedly jumping from the fifth storey of his hotel in Bali on May 6 at 2am.

    Ong Chee Seng had allegedly been hallucinating after consuming magic mushrooms.

    According to Tribun Bali, the police said the man’s friend had tried to stop him but lost control after the victim broke free.

    The victim’s friend, Lee Jun Yu, who was also his classmate, said that they had bought a magic mushroom drink outside their hotel.

    The victim had mixed his magic mushrooms with orange juice while Lee mixed his with chocolate.

    Shortly afterwards, Ong said he wanted to jump but Lee tried to hold him down.

    A security guard reported that he heard a crash at 2.15am.

    The victim was found in grey boxers and a blue T-shirt.

    His legs and arms were bent at awkward angles and he was bleeding from the mouth.

    He died upon impact and his body was sent to BIMC Hospital in Kuta after an ambulance arrived at the scene half an hour later.

    The Singaporean duo had arrived in Bali on May 5 and had planned on checking out yesterday (May 7).

    The local police are investigating the case.

    Denpasar Police Commissioner Hadi Purnomo said that law enforcement officers had been making efforts to eradicate the magic mushroom trade in Bali, but it’s been “quite tricky”.

    Magic mushrooms have been re-classified as ‘type 1’ narcotics, making them illegal.

     

    Source: www.asiaone.com

  • Singaporean Tourist Ignores Locals’ Warnings, Ended Up Bitten By Komodo Dragon

    Singaporean Tourist Ignores Locals’ Warnings, Ended Up Bitten By Komodo Dragon

    A 50-year-old tourist from Singapore was attacked by a Komodo dragon in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday morning.

    Lon Lee Alle, who was in the area to visit the Komodo National Park, was severely injured by a bite on his left leg.

    According to the park’s head, Sudiyono, Alle was initially watching several Komodos eating pigs and goats belonging to villagers. He approached the animals to take pictures, ignoring locals’ warning that he should not go too close.

    “He must have been too close. A Komodo doesn’t like to be disturbed when eating,” Sudiyono told The Jakarta  Post.

    Locals immediately helped pull Alle away from the crowd of Komodos and rushed him to the nearby medical center where he got first aid. Alle was then taken to the Siloam General Hospital using a military speed boat.

    “This is the first incident of human being bitten by a Komodo dragon in the past five years,” Sudiyono said.

    He added that the Singaporean had stayed with locals for three days to save costs.

    “The incident took place away from the area set by us where tourists are allowed to observe Komodos. I also appeal to all tourists to take guides with you when wandering around to see Komodo dragons. Never risk your safety by staying with locals and watching Komodos without an official guide only for the sake of your budget,” Sudiyono said.

     

    Source: www.thejakartapost.com

  • Commentary: Trend Melancong Bersama Bukan Trend, Tapi Biasa

    Commentary: Trend Melancong Bersama Bukan Trend, Tapi Biasa

    Saya sebenarnya tidak rase yang hal couple pergi holiday same-same ini boleh dikatakan “trending”. Mungkin sebab dalam zaman saya ini kelakuan seperti ini memang common sangat. ramai kawan-kawan yang pergi melancong bersama, ataupon ajak lagi kawan lain yang couple jugak. mereka semue belum kahwin lagi, ade yang dah tunang ade yang stakat dating aje.

    Actually nak cakap pasal travelling dengan pasangan ni kalau ikut segi ugama memang salah. tapi saya berpendapat yang ade jugak bende positive yang boleh kami belajar dari ini.

    Cuba fikir kalau kita pergi holiday dengan gf atau bf kite, kami semue dapat pergi explore dunia bersama. Experience bende baru bersama, mungkin bende-bende yang tidak boleh kami buat di Singapura. Dapat jugak melihat pasangan kita, perangai dia, suka tak suka dia. Bonding katakan.

    Lagi satu, sebagai couple yang masih membesar atau tengah sibuk kerje, mungkin kite susah nak dapatkan mase untuk spend time bersama. Atau ibubapa tidak suka kite kluar ngan pasangan selalu sangat. Dan macam-macam alasan lain aje lah. Jadi, holiday inilah satu jawabnya untuk spend quality time together. kalau satu minggu jumpa sekali, atau satu bulan jumpa setakat brapa jam aja. This is the chance. This the only way dapat escape bersama buat sementara.

    Lagipon kalau nak ikut batasan pon boleh dengan tidur berasing. Memang impossible jugak kalau dua orang melancong tapi nak spend duit sewa dua bilik, tak masuk akal. kalau betul nak boleh lah order single bed, dah macam lain. tido kat couch pon boleh biar perempuan tido kat katil. Ikut hati masing-masing juga.

    Last, kalau kita pergi mcm gini bersendirian tidak lah lain sangat dengan kalau pergi holiday dengan pasangan dan family dia. Ok memang ada parents control sebab parents ada, tapi niat kalau bukan jahat then tetap ok kan?

     

    Salam,

    T

    Readers’ Contribution

  • Osman Sulaiman: Another Public Holiday Needed, Support Petition To Gazette 23 March As Public Holiday As Remembrance For Lee Kuan Yew

    Osman Sulaiman: Another Public Holiday Needed, Support Petition To Gazette 23 March As Public Holiday As Remembrance For Lee Kuan Yew

    I heard there’s a petition to make 23 March as a public holiday as a remembrance to LKY. I support!!!!

    Already Singaporeans are working one of the longest hours. We pale in comparison to other developed nations when it comes to working hours per week. Also, our number of public holidays is on the low side.

    It doesnt hurt to have an additional public holiday for workers. More work-life balance. Increase the quality of living and reduce the stress to make more babies.

    Naysayers will probably say productivity will take a hit. But the gov is spending billions of tax payers monies to increase productivity. Many companies benefitted from this. How come no one say anything when we spend but quick to shoot down ideas when we want to give?

     

    Source: Osman Sulaiman