The Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, has called on the Federal Government to consider restoring Langkawi’s original duty-free privileges in a bid to revitalise tourism and boost the local economy.
In his royal address, the Sultan noted that although Langkawi still retains its duty-free status, several key incentives previously enjoyed have been reduced, including the imposition of taxes on vehicles, tobacco-based products and selected goods.
According to His Majesty, these changes have diminished the island’s appeal as one of Malaysia’s top tourist destinations.
“I urge the Federal Government to reinstate Langkawi’s duty-free status with the full range of privileges it once enjoyed,” he said during the opening ceremony of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly session at Wisma Darul Aman on Monday.
At the same time, the Sultan stressed that rapid development on the island must be supported by adequate and resilient infrastructure.
He highlighted ongoing challenges, including limitations in supporting infrastructure, accessibility to the island and the efficiency of jetty facilities, which continue to affect smooth development in Langkawi.
The Sultan also expressed concern over the limited frequency of ferry services to the island, describing it as insufficient to meet demand.
He called on relevant authorities to review and improve the ferry transport system, including reconsidering diesel subsidies for ferry operators to ensure smoother connectivity and support tourism growth.
“These measures are crucial to ensuring seamless connectivity and strengthening Langkawi’s tourism sector,” he added.
His Majesty further noted that these issues have impacted tourist arrivals, affecting the income of local businesses and traders, as well as the livelihoods of residents on the island.
Langkawi was first declared a duty-free island on January 1, 1987, making it a popular shopping destination for items such as chocolates, perfumes and other goods at lower prices.
However, in 2021, the government introduced taxes on cigarettes and tobacco products to curb revenue leakages caused by smuggling, resulting in the island no longer enjoying fully comprehensive duty-free status.
