Lo Khere Chiang : MPP can’t afford to exempt low-cost houses from assessment rates
KUCHING:
Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) cannot afford to do away with
assessment rates on about 10,000 low-cost houses in its jurisdiction
because they constitute about 20 per cent of its total revenue.
While admitting that the decision on whether to waive the assessment rates lies with the Local Government and Community Development Ministry, MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said it might not be economical for MPP to take such a step, given the significant amount collected from the tax.
“This assessment tax is collected to enable us to service our area. In MPP area, I observed that the assessment for low cost housing is not a problem but whether or not to waive the assessment tax, that depends on the state government,” he said in a press conference after chairing MPP’s last full council meeting for this year at MPP headquarters here yesterday.
Lo was asked to comment on Selangor state government’s move to exempt low-cost houses and village houses from assessment rates next year, besides exempting small traders from trading licence fees.
He said the Selangor state government could afford such a move because being a more developed state, it had more commercial properties than low-cost houses.
“I think if our state were to implement this, we have to determine the area it should be implemented.
I don’t think it will be a problem for Kuching North and Kuching South areas because they have very minimal low-cost housing but for Padawan area, I don’t think it is a good idea.”
Presently, he pointed out, assessment rates for low-cost houses in MPP areas are between RM80 and RM120 per year, which he claimed is affordable.
Meanwhile, MPP secretary Andrew Joris said the council needed to collect assessment rates to cover all kinds of expenses, particularly those caused by illegal dumping, although MPP had been trying to educate the people on taking care of the environment.
“There are a lot of illegal dumping in our area and to clear the rubbish will cost us at least RM7,000 to RM8,000. This will indirectly contribute to the cost that we incur but they are paying less in terms of rates.”
As for trading licence fees, Andrew said MPP charged a minimum fee of RM2 as provided by the law because it did not treat the fees as a source of revenue.
Meanwhile, Lo Khere Chiang appealed to the people to start the New Year by abiding by the laws such as by parking their vehicles properly in busy places like Maong Bazaar Market, Mile 7, Mile 10 and Siburan areas so as not to cause unnecessary traffic jam.
“I would also advise our hawkers not to trade illegally and cause traffic jam and inconvenience to the public. To the earth-moving contractors, I hope they will follow the laws and not cause inconvenience to the public when they move earth from point A to point B.”
While admitting that the decision on whether to waive the assessment rates lies with the Local Government and Community Development Ministry, MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said it might not be economical for MPP to take such a step, given the significant amount collected from the tax.
“This assessment tax is collected to enable us to service our area. In MPP area, I observed that the assessment for low cost housing is not a problem but whether or not to waive the assessment tax, that depends on the state government,” he said in a press conference after chairing MPP’s last full council meeting for this year at MPP headquarters here yesterday.
Lo was asked to comment on Selangor state government’s move to exempt low-cost houses and village houses from assessment rates next year, besides exempting small traders from trading licence fees.
He said the Selangor state government could afford such a move because being a more developed state, it had more commercial properties than low-cost houses.
“I think if our state were to implement this, we have to determine the area it should be implemented.
I don’t think it will be a problem for Kuching North and Kuching South areas because they have very minimal low-cost housing but for Padawan area, I don’t think it is a good idea.”
Presently, he pointed out, assessment rates for low-cost houses in MPP areas are between RM80 and RM120 per year, which he claimed is affordable.
Meanwhile, MPP secretary Andrew Joris said the council needed to collect assessment rates to cover all kinds of expenses, particularly those caused by illegal dumping, although MPP had been trying to educate the people on taking care of the environment.
“There are a lot of illegal dumping in our area and to clear the rubbish will cost us at least RM7,000 to RM8,000. This will indirectly contribute to the cost that we incur but they are paying less in terms of rates.”
As for trading licence fees, Andrew said MPP charged a minimum fee of RM2 as provided by the law because it did not treat the fees as a source of revenue.
Meanwhile, Lo Khere Chiang appealed to the people to start the New Year by abiding by the laws such as by parking their vehicles properly in busy places like Maong Bazaar Market, Mile 7, Mile 10 and Siburan areas so as not to cause unnecessary traffic jam.
“I would also advise our hawkers not to trade illegally and cause traffic jam and inconvenience to the public. To the earth-moving contractors, I hope they will follow the laws and not cause inconvenience to the public when they move earth from point A to point B.”
No comments:
Post a Comment