The Perak State Government will impose an additional charge of RM3 for the Local Service Charge (CPT) on visitors staying in Perak starting from January 1, 2025.
Perak Housing and Local Government Committee Chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said the new charge applies to paid accommodation rooms per night and is stipulated under the Hotel Enactment 2023, which was passed at the Perak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session last year.
She noted that similar charges have already been implemented in several other states under various names and interpretations.
“The implementation date for this charge has been postponed to January 1, 2025, to appreciate the influx of visitors during Visit Perak Year 2024 until the end of this year,” she said at a press conference on the matter here today.
Also present were Perak Tourism, Industry, Investment, and Corridor Development Committee Chairman Loh Sze Yee and Deputy State Secretary (Development) Halizah Sipun.
Sandrea said the charge imposed on visitors is an additional initiative seen as having the potential to help the state government improve service quality, especially at various tourist locations in Perak.
Additionally, she said the standardisation of the Hotel License under the Hotel Enactment 2023 will begin on July 1, requiring every hotel operator, guesthouse, chalet, homestay, houseboat, and similar establishments to obtain the license through the local authorities (PBT) before imposing the CPT charge on tourists.
“To provide sufficient time for engagement and education sessions with the target group, the government has agreed to offer a grace period of one year until June 30, 2025. During this period, we will only provide advice to them and no fines will be imposed on operators who have not yet registered and applied,” she said.
She expressed hope that all accommodation operators would promptly submit their applications and obtain licenses from the PBT in their respective areas to ensure smooth business operations.
Although the enforcement of this license has been postponed, the legal provisions stipulated in the enactment must still be adhered to, she added.
