Thumbs up for abolishment of quit rent in Sarawak

Sarawak DAP however says quit rent for foreign-owned factories, warehouses and plantations should be maintained.

PETALING JAYA: The Sarawak state government’s decision to abolish quit rent from next month onwards has been met with approval by leaders from both sides of the political divide.

According to a Borneo Post Online report, Sarawak United People’s Party secretary general Sebastian Ting said the move would benefit the poor and that it was also in line with the devolution of powers from federal to state and the Stamp Duty Act 1949.

“Tax on land is supposed to be a state matter. Thus stamp duty collected on land transactions should be retained by the state government. SUPP fully agrees to this,” he said.

DAP’s Piasau assemblyman Alan Ling said the party also welcomed the announcement but voiced doubt that the move will benefit many in the lower income group as the main beneficiaries will be those owning properties, be it land, commercial or residential lots.

Ling, who is also state DAP secretary, said the quit rent for foreign-owned factories, warehouses and plantations should be maintained.

Last week, Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem announced the abolishing of quit rent for land from the middle of next month to help alleviate the burden of the poor, especially those in the rural areas.