Under the Finance Ministry, the Dewan Negara had passed five bills related to business activities in Labuan, namely the Labuan Business Activity Tax (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2024, the Labuan Companies (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Labuan Trusts (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Labuan Foundation Law (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the Labuan Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said the amendment to the Labuan Business Activity Tax (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2024 aims to amend the Labuan Business Activity Tax Act 1990 to improve the tax administration structure of Labuan.
She stated that the improvement would involve the introduction of a self-assessment system, the implementation of current-year base assessments and the submission of documents to the Director-General of Inland Revenue via electronic means.
Lim said the government remains committed to improving tax administration, increasing tax compliance and strengthening public trust in the country’s tax system.
“Efforts to curb tax revenue leakage will continue. Engagement sessions will proceed with Labuan industry players and tax practitioners to review the proposed tax reforms accepted by the government,” she added, noting that the government will continue to focus on the development of Labuan’s infrastructure.
According to Lim, the Labuan Companies (Amendment) Bill 2024 aims to amend the Labuan Companies Act 1990 (Act 441) by incorporating new provisions related to the framework for reporting and disclosing beneficial ownership information.
She added that Malaysia, including the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC), will undergo its fourth evaluation by the international body, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) scheduled for February 2025.
“This bill needs to be tabled and approved in parliament promptly as part of preparations for the evaluation to ensure that Malaysia and Labuan IBFC receive a good rating, which will further enhance Malaysia and Labuan IBFC’s image and attract foreign investments to Malaysia,” Lim explained.
She further emphasised that the amendment would stimulate Labuan’s economy by creating job opportunities, aligning with the Labuan FSA Strategic Roadmap 2022-2026, which has the potential to bring development opportunities, particularly in new sectors such as digital finance, Islamic finance captives and asset management.
Meanwhile, Lim noted that the Labuan Trusts (Amendment) Bill 2024 aims to amend the Labuan Trusts Act 1996 (Act 554).
She added that the primary purpose of the amendment is to produce new provisions related to the framework for reporting and disclosing beneficial ownership information. In line with the best international financial practices recommended by FATF.
“This bill will also abolish elements identified as harmful tax practices under the practices under the international tax standards of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development,” she said, adding that the bill contains six clauses that include amendments to Section 54 of Act 554 to increase the maximum penalty from RM10,000 to RM50,000.
Labuan, an Attractive Location for Investors
These bills are timely as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Zaliha Mustafa said that at least 32 investors, foreign and local from diverse industrial sectors have expressed keen interest in investing in this duty-free island.
She shared that the investors hail from China, Korea and Malaysia and that her recent visit to China was aimed at exploring business opportunities for Labuan.
“As of today, at least 32 companies from (the mentioned countries) have shown interest in investing here,” she said.
While the Federal Territories Department oversees the development of Labuan, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, Dr Zaliha pointed out that it lacks a dedicated investment arm and instead relies on InvestKL to facilitate investment discussions.
“We are collaborating closely with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry which has assured their support. Future investments in Labuan will be linked through InvestKL for seamless handling,” she said.
Addressing critical infrastructure needs, Dr Zaliha emphasised the importance of reliable water and power supply to build investor confidence.
“Ensuring a stable supply of these essential services is crucial. We also support proposals to expand the manufacturing sector in Labuan, as it will boost economic activity, increase exports and create jobs for locals,” she added.
Dr Zaliha also noted the need to diversify beyond the traditional oil and gas as well as financial sectors, which have long been the pillars of Labuan’s economy.
“The over-reliance on these sectors is a common concern among Labuan’s residents. We are open to exploring sustainable industries that can create employment and stimulate local businesses,” she added.
