ASSESSMENT rate hikes in Selayang, Selangor have raised the ire of property owners who recently received their notices.
Selayang MCA division chairman Chan Wun Hoong said numerous complaints were received from locals about the property evaluation exercise.
“The rate increase is excessive,” he said.
Citing one example, Chan said a homeowner in Kundang had received a notice of a more than five-fold increase.
He added that the valuation process lacked standardisation, pointing out that residents in similar properties – two houses apart – were subject to varying increases.
“We have more than 100 residents and property owners from the low- to middle-income brackets expressing dissatisfaction with the increased financial burden,” he said after holding a meeting with the residents.
He said the Selayang MCA division would help residents appeal and compile data that would be highlighted to the Selayang Municipal Council.
“We urge residents who wish to protest or to appeal against the increase to contact us.
“They can come to the MCA Selayang division office in Taman Jati, Rawang between 9am and noon, or 2pm and 4pm, or they can contact our hotline at 019-339 1924 anytime.
“Once we have collected the necessary information, we will submit this to the council by May 31 together with our feedback and suggestions for something more equitable,” he said.
Chan hoped the assessment tax hike in Selayang would be commensurate with an improvement of council services.
“There are still many infrastructure issues like poorly maintained roads, so we find it unreasonable to impose this burden on residents,” he said.
Chan also questioned the timing and extent of the rate hikes, considering the recent increases in sales and services tax (SST) and water rates in Selangor.
“It is okay to increase the rates, but it has to be reasonable,” he added.
