Carrot and stick measures working in Pasir Gudang

PAYMENT of assessment tax arrears in Pasir Gudang has increased by 40% following ongoing action by Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG).

Pasir Gudang mayor Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman said the measures, which started in September last year, was introduced after the city council recorded more than RM42mil in assessment arrears.

He said that as of May, 326 premises − including housing, industrial and commercial properties − were issued notices under the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171).

“We targeted vacant properties with high tax arrears.

“Any empty houses or premises will be padlocked until the owner settles the arrears on these properties,” he said.

Based on MBPG records, he said almost half of the 98,000 account holders had not paid their assessments prior to the operation.

“Of these, 60% were owners of double-storey properties located in Kota Masai, Seri Alam and Taman Scientex,” he said when met after the MBPG Assessment Tax 2024 lucky draw event at Menara Aqabah in Pasir Gudang.

Asman Shah said that among the reasons why some defaulted was because property developers had forgotten to submit the transfer of ownership notice (Form I) to buyers.

“So the developers think that the property owners are paying their assessments, but the homeowners did not receive any notice.

“Which is why we have introduced the Form I transfer of ownership programme, where they can complete the process within 15 minutes at Menara Aqabah,” he said.

Asman Shah said MBPG would also be checking on details of complainants to ensure they had no outstanding arrears before responding.

“They might complain about overgrown trees or bushes or broken lamp posts in front of their house,” he said.

“We will check if they have high arrears. If they do, we will issue a notice and only address their complaints once they make payment.

“These payments are important for MBPG to make improvements to waste collection, public amenities, and repair potholes,” he said.

Asman Shah also urged all account holders to update their contact information in the local council’s records.

Meanwhile, he said 26,477 account holders (individual categories) were randomly selected to participate in the lucky draw programme offering RM50,000 worth of prizes.