Negotiations between the Perak state government and the Ministry of Finance over the sale of duty free liquor are ongoing, it has been reported.

Pangkor Island assumed a new designation as a duty free island today (1 January) under planned moves to boost its tourism appeal by the Perak state government.

Officials announced a series of programmes in August ahead of the date to improve transportation and communications among tourist operators at the island resort situated on the western peninsular of Malaysia.

The announcement married with the launch of a new duty free logo.

Government news agency Bernama quoting State Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee Chairman Tan Kar Hing says the island’s duty free title expects to increase visitor numbers in a bid to arrest a decline in volumes over the past five years.

He added that the sale of liquor and cigarettes remained in negotiation between the Ministry of Finance and the state government, with three duty free shops operating at present.

According to Tourism Malaysia, the country welcomes more than 25 million tourists annually and is targeting 30 million arrivals and RM100bn/US$24.4bn in tourist receipts this year.

Malaysia’s septennial celebration of its multiculturalism and natural wonders returns this year in the form of Visit Malaysia 2020.