Pasir Gudang councillors urge Johor govt to review property rate hike

PASIR GUDANG: The Johor government should review the new assessment tax to ensure that it does not burden the people, say Pasir Gudang city councillors.

Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) whip chief Datuk Mohd Amin Ahmad said to date, the council has received 1,300 written complaints from a total of 98,490 property owners.

“Although the number (seems) quite small, we believe (it does not reflect) the dissatisfaction of the people, as not all of them have the time to write protest letters to the council.

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“At the same time, all 24 councillors in MBPG have received written and verbal complaints from the public, so we hope the state government will view us councillors as a representation of the people of Pasir Gudang.

“I also urge the public to come forward (with) their complaints before the end of the objection period on Nov 14,” he said, adding that the notice for objection was issued on Oct 26.

Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday (Nov 8), Mohd Amin added that the councillors also proposed that the assessment tax be increased gradually over the next five years but this was rejected.

“For example, if the initial annual (assessment) is RM100, next year property owners will have to pay RM120, (in increments of) RM20 for each of the coming years.

ALSO READ: JB property owners file complaint over property assessment increment

“This way, the increase will not be felt too greatly,” he said, adding that the idea was approved by mayor Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman.

Mohd Amin also shared that the councillors had met six times on the matter in an effort to see how the new rates will not burden the people.

“We will hold another meeting after the objection period to ensure that the new rate is supported by everyone,” he said.

On Sunday (Nov 5), state housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the state government will still reconsider and examine the new assessment tax.

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

Five local councils in Johor are revising the assessment payable, which takes effect on Jan 1.

Besides MBPG, the other local councils are Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP), Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), Kluang Municipal Council (MPK) and Pengerang Municipal Council (MPP).

Assessment (also known as cukai taksiran or cukai pintu), which has not been revised in Johor since 2013, is a tax imposed on each proportional holding, including vacant land, within the local council area in accordance with the powers granted under the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171).

Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi was earlier quoted as saying that various methods and rates are under consideration to ensure the increase does not place an undue financial burden on residents, given the economic challenges and rising cost of living.