PASIR GUDANG: The Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) members today unanimously decided not to endorse the new valuation list and proposed assessment tax rates for properties in its jurisdiction.
In a meeting chaired by mayor Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman to evaluate and deliberate on the proposed assessment tax hike, nine council members took a collective stance and rejected the proposed agenda, set to take effect in January next year if approved.
Instead, they petitioned for MBPG to review and present a revised proposal with lower property tax rates than the proposed hike of between 40 and 50 per cent.
Their stand resulted in a deferment of the enactment of the new property tax rates within the MBPG area.
The decision holds weight due to the fact that until the list and revised tax rates were officially ratified and endorsed by the MBPG council members, the implementation of the new property tax rates under Section 143 of Act 171 could not proceed.
The council members' stance resonated with the statements made Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and the State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor recently.
Both the menteri besar and the housing exco said MBPG proposed assessment hike between 40 and 50 per cent were relatively high and required reassessment.
In a statement, the council members said they were committed to ensure that the proposed hike was addressed promptly, in order to prioritise the welfare and interest of the community in Pasir Gudang.