Attend hearing sessions if opposed to new assessment tax, says JB mayor

JOHOR BARU: Those who have filed their opposition to the new tax should attend the Assessment Tax Objection Hearing Sessions to have their voices heard, says Johor mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman.

He said that the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) is prepared to hear justification from the property owners involved for their objection during the sessions, which will be held from Nov 6 to Nov 8.

“The number of those objecting is very small, only about 1.1% of property owners. We urge them to attend the session where they can defend their objection,” said Mohd Noorazam.

“They have to come prepared with facts and evidence, including having their own valuer assess the properties. There is not much we can do if they only come out with financial issues as the reason for the objection,” he added.

Met after flagging off the Sunbeam Run 2023 on Sunday (Nov 5), he said that the Johor government has also said that they will look into the matter.

Earlier, state housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor told The Star that the state government will still reconsider and examine the new assessment tax despite receiving only a small number of official objections from property owners.

“The period to file objections under MBJB, the Pengerang Municipal Council (MPP) and the Kluang Municipal Council (MPK) has ended; property owners under the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) and Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) have until Nov 15 to file their objections,” he said.

Mohd Jafni said that of the 459,135 property owners from MBJB, MPP and MPK, only 1.2% or about 5,500 have officially filed an objection to the new property valuation and tax readjustment.

“However, the state government will still reassess the matter as we understand that the people are facing financial challenges now,” said Mohd Jafni.

He said the last time local councils in Johor – with the exception of the Kulai Municipal Council (MPKu) – conducted a property valuation and tax readjustment was in 2013.

“We hope that the public can be patient, let all the necessary processes, including the objection hearings, go through accordingly first for now. Once everything has been completed, the state government will look into it again to make sure it is not burdening the people,” he added.