Annuar: DBKL not giving assessment tax discount

KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has no plans to give a discount on assessment tax during the Covid-19 pandemic, says Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pic).

“However, those who are facing any problem can apply to postpone the payment of the assessment

tax or they can pay through instalments until the end of December this year, ” Annuar said in reply to Fong Kui Lun (DAP-Bukit Bintang).

Fong asked the ministry whether it would provide discounts for assessment tax to help businesses affected by the pandemic.

However, Annuar said RM100mil had been allocated to DBKL and relevant agencies under the ministry for various assistance programmes, including a six-month rental exemption for public housing owned by DBKL and traders using DBKL premises.

Pressed by Fong to explain why DBKL would not give such an exemption, Annuar said there were no such provisions under the Local Government Act 1976 to allow for such a discount.

“However, Section 162 of the same Act allows for the owner of premises who failed to rent it out to apply for an exemption, and that can be considered.

“Under Sections 134 and 135 of the Act, an exemption can also be given for premises that are used for public, social and recreational purposes.

“For specific exemption under the Act, DBKL can consider it, ” said Annuar.

“But to give a discount across the board, there are no such provisions under the Act.”

To a question from Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Kepong) on whether the ministry would consider providing micro financing without interest to hawkers in the city, Annuar said the ministry would cooperate with other relevant ministries, including the Youth and Sports and Agriculture ministries.

“A meeting was held with the ministries to discuss micro credit programmes which have already existed in the system, including

for my ministry which will be implemented soon, ” Annuar explained.