Govt urged to review increase in Pasir Gudang assessment rates

After claims that the assessment rates imposed by the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) are too high, lawmaker Hassan Karim plans to ask the Local Government Development Ministry to review the increase. According to Karim, the assessment rate is set to increase by 40% to 50% if approved next year, which he believes will burden the people.

“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).

Karim also hopes the government will take into consideration the statement by MBPG councillors who oppose the increased assessment rates. Meanwhile, 62-year-old bus driver Sarrif Sain expressed concern about the burden the new rate would place on him as he relies on his Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings.

Sain explained, “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 also criticized MBPG, stating that a town hall session should have been conducted before issuing a notice of objection to the proposed rate.

Factory general manager Puah Linna also voiced her concern, stating, “The business sector is not doing well at the moment. We will be affected as the increment is large,” referring to the fact that her company will have to pay RM28,500 instead of RM7,000 currently. She also highlighted that all premises in the Bandar Seri Alam industrial area are subject to an increase of 0.3% to 0.6% in property valuation.

Plentong sub-district village chief Mohd Afiff Mohd Adzhar reported that MBPG has received 1,300 written complaints from a total of 98,490 property owners. He urged residents in Pasir Gudang to lodge their complaints online through the Public Complaints Management System for Councillors (SISPAA).

Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, state housing and local government committee chairman, stated on Sunday (Nov 5) that the state government could still reconsider the new assessment rate. Five local councils in Johor, including MBPG, are revising assessment rates to take effect on Jan 1, 2024.

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.