Penang local councils reduce proposed assessment rates hike

Penang has decided to revise the assessment rates after going through the required legal process under the Local Government Act 1976.

State executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo (above) said after hearing and considering the objections raised by Penangites, the local councils - Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Jaya City Council (MBSP) - have agreed to reduce the increase in the proposed rates.

Jagdeep said in a statement the reduction will affect 281,949 (MBPP) and 327,401(MBSP) ratepayers, and the two councils are now only slated to receive RM19.5 million and some RM27.8 million respectively.

Earlier, the proposed increase in assessment rates would have meant MBPP receiving for the year some additional RM54 million whilst MBSP would have received some additional RM39.7 million.

"It should be noted that out of a total of 649,950 ratepayers in Penang, some 95,125 (14.64 percent of the total ratepayers) objected while 25,066 (3.86 percent) attended 175 public hearing sessions that were held in accordance with the due process of law," he said. 

The Dato Keramat assemblyperson oversees the local government, housing and town and country planning portfolio.

Jagdeep was referring to the announcement by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow yesterday to give priority to the economic uncertainties being faced by all during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chow said Penang has heard and accepted the objections and will reduce the raise in the proposed assessment rates.

There are 322,549 ratepayers on the island and 327,401 on the mainland.

Jagdeep recalled that amongst the primary reasons for objections received by both city councils are:

• Economic implications of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Increase is too quick, there should be a gradual increase in the rates.
• General economic instability/political instability/high cost of living.
• Not working/retired/no fixed source of income.
• Property not rented out/occupied.
• Issues with garbage collection/unsatisfactory sanitary services.
• Single parent/senior citizen.
• Suffering from medical conditions/disabled.

Meanwhile, Jagdeep said a rebate for this year amounting to RM47.3 million has not been collected by both city councils so as to alleviate the burden of the people.

"However, we will nonetheless continue with our work to ensure that there is compliance with all safety measures and SOPs to combat Covid-19 whereby some 5,000 frontliners are always on the ground ensuring public health and safety," he said.

Jagdeep expressed gratitude to the Penang government for the massive assistance under the second Penang Covid-19 Stimulus Package.

He reminded that a further one-off payment of RM500 will be given to some 3,103 hawkers in licensed shop lots and some other 5,666 registered and "tagged" hawkers throughout Penang amounting to a total of RM4.38 million under the Penang Aid Stimulus Package 2.0.

The stimulus packages now stand at RM151 million, where the first edition in March amounted to RM75 million. - Mkini