By Othman Ibrahim
PADAWAN: The Sarawak government will not increase the assessment rates because it does not want to increase the burden of the people in the state, said Padawan Municipal Council (PMC) chairman Lo Khere Chiang.
He stated that the existing tax rate was sufficient after it was revised by the late Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem in 2016.
“The people are currently facing various problems due to the rising prices of various types of goods as a result of the country’s economic uncertainty.
“The country’s economic situation has been poor since Pakatan Harapan took over the federal government.
“I have received confirmation from Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian that Sarawak does not intend to raise the assessment rates as we (the Sarawak government) do not want the people to bear the burden.
“Previously, the Sarawak government under the leadership of the late Chief Minister (Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) reduced the assessment rates to help the people so they should not be raised again,” he said.
Lo said this when asked to comment on the statement of the federal Local Government and Housing Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin that the assessment tax of all local authorities (PBT) nationwide would be reviewed starting next year.
According to Zuraida, a review needs to be conducted after the ministry found that many local authorities had maintained the old tax rate for decades.
Lo, who is also Batu Kitang assemblyman, pointed out that the tax rates in the state were under the administration of the Sarawak government and therefore Sarawak had the autonomy to maintain them.
Earlier, Lo officiated at the closing of the Community Development Programme at Kampung Simboh Multipurpose Hall near here.
The programme, which started last Friday, was organised by PMC, the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of Kampung Simboh, Pathfinder Club and the Neighbourhood Watch (KRT) of the village.
Various events were held including sports, recreation and talks as well as free health checks.
Lo also reminded residents to continue supporting the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government in the state. Also present was PMC deputy chairman Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim.
