PMC collected over 80 pct in assessment rate last year

 

KUCHING: T h e Pa d awan Municipal Council (PMC) successfully collected RM17.75 million (83.7%) from assessment rates for the year ending 31 December, 2010 compared to RM17.45 million collected in 2009.

When contacted by New Sarawak Tribune yesterday, PMC Chairman Lo Khere Chiang said that the Council had always been able to collect an average of 80 per cent every year.

“Our normal collection of 80 per cent every year has always been achievable despite many defaulters,” he said.

Asked what the penalties for these defaulters are, Lo said that they would be subjected to the rules and regulations on default payment as stipulated by the Council, adding that the defaulters would be given two warning letters before the Council takes further action.

“If the defaulters still do not pay after the caveat (warning letters), we will bring the matter to court for further action,” he said, adding that the Council have the right to caveat the land under its jurisdiction if the land owner still refused to pay.

“After they have paid the rates then we will release the land to them,” he said.

Lo also mentioned that defaulters will incur one per cent interest rate per month if they do not pay their overdue assessment rate.

“The Council will not increase the assessment rates for every property under its jurisdiction for this year.We will have to check the areas thoroughly and see if there is a need to increase the rate,” he pointed out.

As for the cost of vandalism the Council has to bear, Lo disclosed that last year PMC had to spend about RM800,000 for the replacement of drain covers and other items in its areas which were stolen or vandalised.

He was not sure of last year’s losses on vandalism and theft but said that the Council had replaced many drain covers using concrete ones last year for which he expects the losses this year to decrease.

“I would have to check with our engineering section on this matter as they are the ones who are monitoring the matter,” he said, adding that he has yet to call for the Council’s first meeting for this year as they have recently closed their accounts on 31 December, 2011.

When asked if there are any new projects in the pipeline, Lo said that there are a few which he could not reveal just yet until their next council’s meeting.

 

Tuesday, 10 January 2012 11:02 | Written by Emy Lindsay