By Norrasyidah Arshad
GOMBAK, July 15 — The ongoing reassessment of assets and properties by local authorities in Selangor will serve as a reference for owners in managing their real estate.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said while the process, which he deemed necessary, may result in increased taxes, it will add value to residents' assets.
"If we don't conduct evaluations, there will be no valid or definitive reference. If assets aren't assessed for decades, their value will be stuck at rates from 30 years ago, despite having appreciated. When it comes to selling, leasing or buying, the values won't be accurate.
“However, conducting assessments every five years ensures accuracy and provides a reliable reference. There may or may not be an increase, but we have a formula limiting it to around 15 to 20 percent if it does rise," he said yesterday.
Amirudin was speaking at the Rewang Komuniti programme organised by the Selayang Municipal Council here.
The Menteri Besar said the increased tax payments will be used to cover the costs of maintaining public services borne by local authorities, as well as provide improved facilities to residents.
"80 percent of local council finances go towards waste collection, leaving little to no allocation for building fields or community halls, for example,” he said, adding that the objection and appeal process is still ongoing.
"We will explain and seek solutions. The decision whether or not to increase taxes will be made by the end of the year or mid-next year. The state government will consider all aspects and current conditions," he said.
The majority of Selangor local councils have not reviewed the assessment rates involving vacant land, housing, factories and business lots for decades.
The Kajang Municipal Council, for instance, has not raised rates since 1985, the Kuala Langat Municipal Council since 1987, and the Selayang Municipal Council since 1992.
The Subang Jaya City Council has not hiked rates since 1992 for the Subang Jaya and Bandar Sunway areas, and since 1996 for the USJ, Puchong, Seri Kembangan and Serdang areas.
The rates under the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council and Kuala Selangor Municipal Council jurisdictions, meanwhile, have been the same since 1997, while Hulu Selangor Municipal Council has not conducted a review since 1996.
Shah Alam City Council, which governs the state capital, has not increased assessment rates since 2006.
