SIBU: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has been urged to give rebates to all companies for the 50 per cent penalty they pay while renewing their trade licences.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman, Councillor Clarence Ting, who made the call, said after the reopening of the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) here, many traders went to renew their trade licences.
However, they were told to pay RM25 each as their licences had expired between March 18 and May 14.
“According to the normal procedure, upon expiry there is a 14 -day grace period to renew their licences or else the traders have to pay a penalty of 50 per cent,” he said.
Ting said as the UTC was closed during the movement control order (MCO) period, there was no other way for them to renew their trade licences.
On the reopening of the UTC on May 15, he said an average of 900 visitors was recorded daily.
Due to the Hari Raya celebration, the UTC is again closed from May 23 to 27. It will reopen on May 28 and the operating hours are from 8am to 4pm.
Touching on the assessment rates for 2020, Ting said amended bills with a 25 per cent discount for all the municipal holdings would be ready by May 27.
“As the council will not be delivering these bills like in previous years, we are asking all to register their email addresses so we can send them the rates. Those who have no email can go to UTC Sibu to print them,” he added.
The deadline to pay the rates is on Oct 30 for both the first half and second half rates.
Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in unveiling the Sayangku Sarawak Covid-10 financial package on March 23, said a 25 per cent discount on assessment rates above RM400 would be given to residential, commercial, industrial and special purpose holdings for the year 2020.
