MBI AGREES TO FURTHER REDUCE ASSESSMENT TAX - IPOH MAYOR

IPOH, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- The Ipoh City Council (MBI) has agreed to further reduce the new assessment tax rate to below the nine per cent proposed previously.

Ipoh Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said the decision was made despite only 18,000 out of 319,000 property owners submitting objections before the deadline on Nov 22.

“Only about six per cent lodged objections, not even 10 per cent, which is very low, while 94 per cent did not officially protest.

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“Even though only a small number objected, we still conducted a review and considered their feedback. We have already held a special meeting to lower it a little more,” he said in a press conference after chairing the full council meeting for November here today.

He said the decision to lower the tax rate from the previously suggested nine per cent was finalised during today's special meeting and is expected to be announced by the end of the year or in January 2025.

The revised assessment tax rates will take effect on July 1, 2025, following changes to the annual value of properties, which had not been updated for 42 years.

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Last Sunday, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the government proposed that the tax increase be implemented gradually while taking into account the current inflation rate.

Meanwhile, Rumaizi said the redevelopment of Pasir Pinji Market is expected to be completed by November 2026, at a total cost of RM13.95 million.

“MBI has appointed the main contractor for this project for a period of 104 weeks starting from Nov 20, and it is expected to be completed in two years on Nov 18, 2026.

“MBI also managed to reduce the overall project cost, previously estimated at over RM16 million, to just RM13.95 million,” he said.

He added that all traders at Pasir Pinji Market have been relocated to a temporary site, built at a cost of RM1.48 million, since July 1 until the redevelopment project is fully completed.

“The contractors can begin their work and MBI will ensure that the appointed contractor completes the project on time.

“The new market is expected to have several new features, and it will be the first market with green building index, as well as being environmentally friendly and sustainable,” he said.

-- BERNAMA