A PENANG executive council member has brushed aside certain quarters’ perception that the hike in assessment tax for mainlanders was due to their local council receiving city status, from Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) to Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo (Datok Keramat) made it clear that the assessment review was not intentional in the light of MBSP’s recognition.
“The islanders also have their assessment tax going up as well.
“This is a legal requirement to adhere to and I hope all my assemblymen here be understandable and fair on this.
“We do not intend to increase assessment tax just because of MBSP gaining city status. It was a long process back then,” he said when replying to a question from Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok) during the State Legislative Assembly sitting in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Lee had earlier asked whether the hike in assessment for mainlanders was a ‘coincidence’ as MBSP was being granted city status.
All affected owners have their rights to appeal against the hike and be heard in hearing sessions, which had begun on Oct 29 and would end in March next year.
Jagdeep had been reported as saying that the state adhered to the Section 142(2) of the Local Government Act 1976 by giving affected owners the rights to be heard.
Replying to a question by Jason Ong Khan Lee (Kebun Bunga) on whether the increase would burden Penangites, Jagdeep said there would be benefits for the residents.
“The increasing of local authorities’ revenue through this will instead be channelled back to increase the people’s living standard. It will not burden the people.
“This is done through planning development and several infrastructure initiatives to be rolled out for the people,” he added.
Jagdeep also said local council would provide deduction to those property owners, who could not afford the payment.
“The deduction, which will be given, depends on the decision by Appeals Committee after the hearing process,” he added.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis & Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud