By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
SHAH ALAM, Dec 10 — The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) said it will focus on the implementation of high-impact public service projects following the new assessment rates that take effect next year.
MPS president Shahman Jalaludin said the projects include adding solar lights, improving public park and playground infrastructure, and maintaining drains and roads.
He said the new assessment rates are set to add RM26 million a year to the council’s tax revenue, which will allow it to implement projects that are small yet high impact.
“We will also open another MPS branch in Kuang, making it three overall, to improve services with a counter for compounds, assessment rates, and such.
“An additional RM26 million a year isn’t much to implement large projects; maybe enough for just one or two projects, so we will focus on the smaller but higher-impact ones that directly benefit the people,” he told Selangorkini.
Yesterday, state executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim said property owners in Selangor will receive a 75 per cent discount on the new assessment rate.
Owners statewide need only pay 25 per cent of the total increased rate from January 1.
Previously, Media Selangor reported that eight local councils have not reviewed their assessment rates in 20 to 40 years.
The Kajang Municipal Council had not raised its rates since 1985, the Kuala Langat Municipal Council since 1987, and the Selayang Municipal Council since 1992.
Meanwhile, the Subang Jaya City Council hadn’t raised its rates since 1992 for Subang Jaya and Bandar Sunway, and since 1996 for USJ, Puchong, Seri Kembangan and Serdang.
The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council and Kuala Selangor Municipal Council had not reviewed their tax rates since 1997, and the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council, since 1996.
The Shah Alam City Council has not implemented assessment rate hikes since 2006.
Based on provisions under the Local Government Act 1976, reviews can be done every five years or after a period decided by the state government.
