Petronas โCEO Apologizes for Champagne Party amid Islamic Norms Debate; Kyoto to Implement Hotel Tax
SINGAPORE – Malaysia‘s petronas CEO, Tengku Muhammad Taufik,โค has issued an apology following criticism for participating in a champagne spray celebration at the Singapore Grandโข Prix. The incidentโ sparked controversy in Malaysia regarding Islamic norms and the conductโ expectedโฃ of leaders within government-linked companies.
The apology comes as sensitivities aroundโ public displays of โcelebration involving โคalcohol remain high in Malaysia, a majority-Muslim nation. Whileโ champagne showersโ are commonplace at Formula 1 events globally,the Petronas CEO’s involvement drew immediate backlash online,prompting the apology which acknowledged “misplaced exuberance.”โค Petronas, Malaysia’s state-ownedโค oil and gas company, is โa significant sponsor of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.
KYOTO, JAPAN -โ Kyoto City is set to โintroduce โa hotel tax starting October 1, 2024, โขimpacting both domestic and international tourists. The tax, ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 yen (approximatelyโข $7 to โ$21 USD) perโ person perโ night, aims toโฃ generate revenue for city improvements and address the challenges posed by overtourism. โคThe levy โคwill apply to accommodations costing less than 20,000 yen โper night, exempting long-stay guests andโ those traveling with specific visa statuses.
The introduction of the tax follows similar measures implementedโ in othre Japanese cities like Tokyo and Osaka, as destinations grapple โฃwith balancing tourism revenue with the โคpreservation ofโ local culture and infrastructure.Kyoto anticipatesโ collecting approximately 6.6 billion yen annually from the tax, fundsโค earmarked for enhancing tourist facilities, preserving cultural โheritage, and improving public transportation.
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