By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SEPANG, July 27 — The Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang) received nearly 8,000 objections to the new assessment tax rate by the time the application deadline ended on Thursday (July 25).
Its President Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain said the objections' hearing sessions will be held for seven days starting on August 14 and involve several series.
Speaking to the press after chairing a full council meeting yesterday, he said that MPSepang submitted the new valuation list and received nearly 8,000 objections via email or by physical mail to its office.
“There will be several series of objections starting on August 14, which are expected to be fully completed by early September.
"With the new valuation, we can improve public infrastructure facilities compared to the previously minimal services provided.
“In fact, this increase is expected to cover the rising costs of cleaning work, thereby retaining the currently implemented maintenance level,” he said.
Eight local authorities in Selangor have yet to review their assessment tax rate in the past 20 to 40 years, including MPSepang, which has not reviewed it for 29 years since 1996.
Others include the Kajang Municipal Council for 39 years since 1985, 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 has not raised the assessment tax for 32 years since 1992 for the Subang Jaya and Bandar Sunway areas, while for USJ, Puchong, Seri Kembangan, and Serdang areas, it has been 28 years since 1996.
The Kuala Selangor Municipal Council has not raised the rate for 27 years since 1997, while the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council for 28 years since 1996.
Lastly, the Shah Alam City Council has not increased its assessment tax rate for 18 years since 2006.
On May 30, Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said the new valuation process carried out by the local authorities is essential to ensure urban planning effectiveness.
He added that low-cost houses are not subject to the increase despite receiving the notice and that the review aims to determine the value and quality of urbanisation in a given area.
