Penang Gerakan has questioned why the state government must raise the assessment rate, as it has been claiming since 2008 that the state's finances are very healthy.
State party chairperson Oh Tong Keong said Penang's reserves have continued to increase over the past 10 years.
"So why should they raise the assessment rates?" Oh asked, in a press conference today.
"In the past 10 years, former Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng kept telling the people that Penang had a surplus every year. Where did the money go?"
Oh said over the years, the Auditor-General has been praising Penang's achievements in consolidating the state’s financial status.
This has made the Pakatan Harapan government in Penang "proud", Oh added.
Oh said although in 2018, Penang had its first fiscal deficit, their current reserves stand at RM1.07463 billion.
"It seems that there is no financial problem in Penang.
"The DAP-led state government has always been proud of managing the state finances, " Oh recalled.
"They have always stressed that the state finances are very stable.
"If this is the case, there should be no reason to raise the assessment rates at this time," he added.
Oh was referring to the hike in assessment rates announced by state exco Jagdeep Singh Deo (above) on September 13.
Jagdeep said the rates had not been reviewed for 15 years, and it is in line with state laws to review the rate yearly.
The current rates, applied since Jan 1, 2005 (for MBPP) and Jul 1, 2015 (for MPSP), have been used for 15 years and will be revised after December this year when the term for the current rates ends.
Gerakan had received complaints that many face an increment of assessment rates between 10 to 98.8 percent.
Oh also criticised the Penang government for justifying its move to increase assessment rates by saying it is one way to improve the state's infrastructure, like repairing roads.
Oh said many roads in the state are under the Public Works Bureau (JKR).
He added, the federal government allocates annual funds to cover the cost of repairing these roads.
"It does not make sense for the Penang government to raise the assessment rates," Oh said.
"We urge the Penang government to be sympathetic to the hardships of the people.
"Do not raise the assessment rates, which will burden the lives of the people, " Oh said. - Mkini
Agreed. Do not raise the assessment rate. Living here is quite tough. Pay very little but expenses high.
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