SHAH ALAM, May 6 — The Selangor State Executive Council will discuss Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s proposal to reduce rental rates for business premises under local authorities, said state executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim.
“This issue carries significant impact and requires an in-depth study and further discussion.
“The proposal will be tabled at the upcoming state executive council meeting, where it will be reviewed from multiple perspectives, including financial implications for local councils and the broader economic impact on businesses,” he told Media Selangor today.
Ng was responding to Anwar’s statement yesterday urging states and local authorities to consider lowering rental rates for storefronts to ease cost pressures on traders and small businesses amid current economic challenges.
As a start, the prime minister said, premises managed by federal government-linked companies and agencies like MARA and UDA Holdings Bhd will have their rental rates lowered from this month.
Ng noted that apart from businesses operating under local authorities, global factors such as geopolitical conflicts and rising fuel prices have pressured other sectors.
“These global issues, including the war and fuel price hikes, have had serious implications across all sectors, not only businesses, but the private sector as a whole.
“We must carefully study the short- and long-term impacts before any decision is made,” Ng said.
