LOKE TO CONVENE MEETING TO RESOLVE PENANG QUIT RENT DISPUTE

GEORGE TOWN, March 21 (Bernama) -- DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke will convene a meeting involving former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng and current chief minister Chow Kon Yeow to resolve the ongoing dispute over the new quit rent (land tax) rates in the state.

He said the party’s central leadership is deeply concerned over the public spat between the two leaders, describing it as unhealthy and inappropriate, particularly amid current geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

“Any disagreements, especially those raised by backbenchers, regarding state government decisions, should be addressed through established internal mechanisms rather than being aired publicly,” he said, in a statement, today.

Loke, who is also the Transport Minister, stressed that, while there is a need to review quit rent rates in commercial zones to ensure the financial sustainability of the state government, the approach must be balanced, responsive, and considerate.

He said that, in particular, quit rents involving educational institutions, such as public schools, should not be increased excessively, and a nominal rate should be applied.

The state government has implemented a review of quit rent rates, and the gazettement of rural to urban land across the state, in accordance with the provisions of Section 101 of the National Land Code (Act 828), which came into effect from Jan 1.

The revision of quit rent rates involves nearly 370,000 land titles throughout Penang, covering various land categories and uses, including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and other special categories.

Chow had earlier expressed regret that certain parties had sensationalised the increase, without fully understanding the calculation and the actual land use involved.

-- BERNAMA