Tak bagus beri Langkawi autonomi cukai, kata ahli ekonomi

Economist Carmelo Ferlito has stated that granting Langkawi fiscal autonomy to manage its taxes and use the revenue for local development could spark similar demands from other regions and states. However, Ferlito believes that such a decentralization should not be an ad hoc measure for specific areas only. He advocates for a comprehensive fiscal reform across Malaysia, with revenue and expenditure being managed at the state and local levels nationwide, with only the national government handling core functions like defense.

Ferlito proposes either returning the revenue generated by Langkawi to the island based on a clear formula or a simple levy specifically for sanitation, water, transportation, and environmental protection. He believes this should be the first step towards decentralization across the country, rather than a special privilege for Langkawi alone.

Meanwhile, economist Saravana Kumar and legal expert S Saravana Kumar support the exploration of a structured fiscal decentralization model that includes clear rules for revenue sharing, budgetary responsibility, and measurable development outcomes. Kumar emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between giving Langkawi more control over its local revenues and granting it full fiscal autonomy and debt issuance.

Kumar notes that while Langkawi is a major tourist destination, the question remains whether the extra revenue generated should be redistributed to fund infrastructure, environmental management, and water supply. He stresses that fiscal autonomy does not automatically mean Langkawi is entitled to keep every ringgit of tax collected there.

National defense and public services should still be funded by the central government's resources. Any fiscal reform must take into account national responsibilities. Kumar therefore advocates for a more structured fiscal decentralization model with clear revenue sharing and local accountability, rather than continuing the formation of separate taxes for Langkawi.