Another plea for zero Labuan rates hike
Published on: Thursday, January 30, 2020
By: Sohan Das
LABUAN: Chinese Chamber of Commerce Chairman Wong Kii Yii said rate payers are not prepared for even a small percentage of hike in rates this year even though LC has promised discount of up to 50pc following local outcry.
Speaking during the Chinese New Year celebrations at the Kampong Sugei Keling pavilion, Wong said unlike previous years most of the property owners have not received their assessments bills.
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“We do not know the mechanism that would be used to work out the discounts and whether this would be applied to all categories of properties.”
“But if the new rates with the discount reflected an unreasonable hike it would not be acceptable until the economy has recovered,”Wong said.
He suggested that the rates that were applied last year be continued probably next year most of us would be prepared for some hike and preferably it should be preceded with discussions with the joint of commerce, Ministry and LC officials,” he said.
Wong said if LC faced a shortage of funds it should seek a bigger allocation from Federal Territories Ministry instead of burdening residents.
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LC had not reviewed Labuan rates for the past 25 years and even though it was allowed to increase by 300 percent was not doing so taking into consideration the current economic situation in Labuan.
CEO of LC Dr Farmy Akmal Osman had stated that those not satisfied with what was being charged could submit objections and the committee would study case by case and a final decision would be made by March.
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As of end of last year 1,200 objections had been received from 15,000 landowners.
During the event which was officiated by Member of Parliament Datuk Rozman Isli, he announced an “angpow” of RM1,000 each for the four stations that would celebrate Chap Goh Mei, the 15th Day of the first lunar month while Wong topped this up with another RM1,500 each.