Alor Star City Council Seeks to Review Assessment Tax to Improve Services and Infrastructure

Strategic Insights -

The Alor Star City Council (MBAS) is proposing a review of the city's assessment tax, which has not been updated in 32 years, to improve services and infrastructure for residents. The council aims to increase annual tax collection from RM36 million to RM50 million through the review, which involves 95,170 properties. Mayor Datuk Abdul Gafar Yahya stated that the increase will allow the council to channel more funds towards addressing urban issues such as flash floods, drainage maintenance, and road repairs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Alor Star City Council (MBAS) is proposing a review of the assessment tax, which has not been updated in 32 years, to improve services and infrastructure for residents.
  • The review aims to increase annual tax collection from RM36 million to RM50 million through the reassessment of 95,170 properties.
  • Mayor Datuk Abdul Gafar Yahya stated that the increase will allow the council to channel more funds towards addressing urban issues such as flash floods, drainage maintenance, and road repairs.
  • The council owes SWCorp RM20 million for solid waste management services.
  • The review process will be conducted transparently, allowing residents to submit objections or feedback until Wednesday before the proposal is forwarded to the state government for consideration.
  • Any resident who believes the council failed to follow due process can file a court case once the procedure is completed.

Statistics:

  • RM36 million: current annual tax collection
  • RM50 million: proposed annual tax collection after the review
  • 95,170: number of properties involved in the review
  • RM20 million: amount owed to SWCorp for solid waste management services
  • 26: number of locations that frequently experience flash floods
  • 245%: proposed increase in domestic property and commercial premises assessment taxes

Sources:

  • The Star, 2023 (no publication date specified)
  • Utusan Malaysia, 2023 (no publication date specified)
  • Kedah State Government website, 2023 (no publication date specified)