By Sofia Nasir
SHAH ALAM, Dec 10 — Revenue collected from the new assessment tax rates will be utilised to cover the rising costs of public facility maintenance each year, said state executive councillor for local government, tourism, and New Village development Dato’ Ng Suee Lim.
The resulting revenue would be returned to the people in the form of services to ensure residential areas remain comfortable, clean, and safe to live in.
“As a rapidly developing state, Selangor offers various public facilities including roads, lighting, recreational parks, solid waste management, and public cleaning services.
“However, with maintenance costs continually increasing, the state government has taken steps to review assessment taxes, and this is not a decision made lightly,” he said in a Facebook video post yesterday.
Ng added that the state government has set the increase to not exceed 25 per cent of the current assessment tax rate, with discounts of up to 75 per cent offered to property owners.
For properties undergoing changes in use or structure, the assessment would be based on the actual on-site value.
“The taxes we pay today are an investment for future generations so they may enjoy the prosperity and well-being we are striving to achieve together,” he said.
Previously, Media Selangor reported that eight local councils had not reviewed assessment tax rates for approximately 20 to 40 years.
The Kajang Municipal Council had not increased the rate for 39 years since 1985, followed by the Kuala Langat Municipal Council for 37 years since 1987, and the Selayang Municipal Council for 32 years since 1992.
The Subang Jaya City Council had not raised assessment taxes for 32 years since 1992 in the Subang Jaya and Bandar Sunway areas, while in USJ, Puchong, Seri Kembangan, and Serdang, the rate had remained unchanged for 28 years since 1996.
Similarly, the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council and the Kuala Selangor Municipal Council had not increased the tax rate for 27 years since 1997, while the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council maintained its rate for 28 years since 1996.
The Shah Alam City Council had not implemented any increase in assessment taxes for 18 years since 2006.
Under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1976, new valuations can be conducted every five years or within an extended period determined by the State Government.
