By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: The Perak state government has collected RM1.08 million in Local Service Charges (CPT) since its implementation on January 1.
This amount corresponds to 359,324 overnight stays recorded up to February.
State Executive Councillor for Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development, Loh Sze Yee, said the figures reflect a high level of tourist accommodation in Perak.
“A positive impact of the CPT can be seen in Pangkor Island, which recorded a significant increase in tourist arrivals.
“In January 2025, 72,303 tourists visited Pangkor Island compared to only 31,038 in January 2024 — an increase of 41,265 visitors.
“This shows that the implementation of CPT did not discourage visitors, but actually coincided with a rise in tourist arrivals to Perak,” he said during the Perak State Legislative Assembly session today.
He was responding to a question from Pangkor State Assemblywoman Norhaslinda Zakaria regarding the effects of the CPT implementation.
CPT is an additional charge imposed on visitors staying at hotels and homestays, at a rate of RM3 per night for all hotel categories.
The implementation is based on the 2024 Perak Hotel Regulations under the 2023 Perak Hotel Enactment, with payments collectible either in person or online.
The CPT is seen as having the potential to help the state government improve services, particularly at various tourist destinations throughout Perak.
