World · Malaysia Bureau
Lawmaker proposes tax autonomy for Langkawi island
A Malaysian parliamentarian has suggested granting the island of Langkawi greater control over tax revenues to fund its own development projects independently. The proposal aims to reduce reliance on federal budget allocations.
LSN Malaysia ·
Suhaimi Abdullah, a member of parliament, has advocated for Langkawi to be granted autonomy over taxation, arguing the measure would enable the island to finance its own development initiatives without waiting for federal government funding allocations.
According to Abdullah, the proposal would give Langkawi greater financial independence and allow the island to pursue infrastructure and development projects based on local priorities rather than being constrained by the timing and allocation of central government budgets.
The suggestion reflects broader discussions in Malaysia about fiscal decentralization and empowering local administrations to manage their own economic development. Proponents of similar measures argue that enhanced revenue-raising powers can enable islands and regions to respond more quickly to local development needs.
Langkawi, located off the coast of Kedah, is a major tourism destination and has significant potential for economic development. The proposal, if implemented, could establish a new model for how Malaysian island territories manage their finances and coordinate development planning with the federal government.