Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon (right) giving a press conference after the Johor state assembly here on Sunday (Dec 1). Looking on is Pekan Nanas assemblyman Tan Eng Meng (left).
ISKANDAR PUTERI: A state executive councillor has criticised a Federal Minister for allegedly claiming credit for a 30% assessment tax rebate in Johor.
Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the Minister should focus on public welfare instead of politicising matters and taking undue credit.
"It is normal for a Minister to call a Mentri Besar, but if just one phone call could change a decision, he might as well help other states facing similar issues like Perak and Penang," Ling said.
He added that the Minister could use his influence to contact relevant state leaders and resolve these issues.
"We also welcome them to learn from the Johor state government on how to implement tax rebates," he said during a press conference on the sidelines of the Johor state assembly on Sunday (Dec 1).
On Thursday (Nov 28), the state government announced a 30% rebate for 10 local councils involved in a tax reassessment process.
On Friday (Nov 29), Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming reportedly claimed that the rebate resulted from a call he made to Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, during which he conveyed public concerns.
Ling, who is also the MCA Youth chief, said that as part of his effort to push for the tax rebate, he had contacted assemblymen from his party and DAP asking them to collect data and submit an official letter to the Mentri Besar or other state executive councillors, including himself.
"We do not differentiate between political parties when it comes to public issues," he said.
He added that even in the Mentri Besar's winding-up speech, it was mentioned how he had consistently raised this issue during weekly state executive meetings.
The tax rebate was announced by Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor in his winding-up speech on Thursday.
"The Mentri Besar has agreed to give a 30% rebate on the new tax rates for the year 2025 to the 10 local councils involved," said Mohd Jafni.
"This is similar to what was given to the five local councils that went through the reassessment process last year."
The 10 local councils involved are from Batu Pahat, Muar, Segamat, Pontian, Kota Tinggi, Tangkak, Yong Peng, Simpang Renggam, Mersing and Labis
Mohd Jafni noted that at least eight assemblymen had raised the tax assessment issue in their speeches during the Johor state assembly.
In December last year, the Johor government announced a similar 30% rebate for assessment tax to five local councils that were then carrying out the reassessment process.
