Govt urged to review increase in Pasir Gudang assessment rates

PASIR GUDANG: A lawmaker will ask the Local Government Development Ministry to review the increase in assessment rates to be imposed by the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG), after claims it is too high.

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim said that the assessment rate would go up by 40% to 50%, which will burden the people once approved next year.

“The people will not oppose an increase if it’s reasonable. I will bring this matter to the attention of the Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming and his deputy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir on Tuesday (Nov 14) during the next parliament meeting,” he said after a town hall session with Pasir Gudang residents at Dewan Taman Scientex here on Saturday (Nov 11).

Hassan added that he hoped the government would consider the statement by MBPG councillors, who also oppose the increased assessment rates.

Meanwhile, 62-year-old bus driver Sarrif Sain, said the new rate would be a huge burden to him as he is reliant on his Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings.

“Next year, I will be required to pay RM428 instead of RM302 previously.

“I am already paying assessments twice a year. Where will I get the extra money to pay more? I’m also only a part-time school bus driver,” he said.

He said MBPG should have conducted a town hall session before issuing a notice of objection to the proposed rate.

“What is the purpose of introducing a new assessment tax if the people cannot afford to pay it?” he said.

Factory general manager Puah Linna, 49, said her company will have to pay RM28,500 instead of RM7,000 currently.

“The business sector is not doing well at the moment. We will be affected as the increment is large, she said, adding that all premises in the Bandar Seri Alam industrial area are subject to an increase of 0.3% to 0.6% in property valuation.

Meanwhile, Plentong sub-district village chief Mohd Afiff Mohd Adzhar said that MBPG has received 1,300 written complaints from a total of 98,490 property owners.

“This is below 5%, so I urge residents in Pasir Gudang to also lodge their complaints online through the Public Complaints Management System for Councillors (SISPAA),” he said.

On Sunday (Nov 5), state housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the state government could still reconsider the new assessment rate.

Five local councils in Johor are revising assessment rates, to take effect on Jan 1, 2024.

Besides MBPG, the other local councils are Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP), Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), Kluang Municipal Council (MPK) and Pengerang Municipal Council (MPP).

Assessment (also known as cukai taksiran or cukai pintu in Malay) is a local council tax imposed on each proportional holding, including vacant land, in accordance with the powers granted under the Local Government Act 1976.

Assessment rates in Johor have not changed since 2013.