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Sandakan needs to revise assessment rates to better serve ratepayers: DCM | Scoop
Sandakan residents are concerned that they would see a significant hike in their residential and commercial properties’ assessment fees next year. – Wikimedia Commons pic, October 19,  2023
News

Sandakan needs to revise assessment rates to better serve ratepayers: DCM

Municipality cannot achieve development potential as rates unchanged for 29 years, says Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam

Main Author Image
Rebecca Chong
Updated
7:55 PM MYT

 

SANDAKAN – The assessment rate in Sandakan, last updated 29 years ago, needs to be revised so that the local council can improve development and services in the district, Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said.

“It is time that the assessment rate is revised. If not, Sandakan will never develop. If we want the Sandakan Municipal Council to enhance its services, we need the revenue,” said Joachim, who is also state minister for local government and housing.

He was speaking after attending a dialogue session with local community members who want a postponement of the assessment rate revision.

Residents at the session voiced their concerns about the municipal council’s proposal to revise the rate beginning next year.

Residents said this would see a significant hike in their residential and commercial properties’ assessment fees next year, while the economy in Sandakan has yet to fully recover from the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact.

Joachim said he had received a memorandum of objections from several organisations, as well as from Parti Bersatu Sabah and Warisan, over the proposed assessment revision.

“The ministry takes note of these objections. We will wait until the tax appeal tribunal is done receiving and assessing all the objections (before making a decision),” he said.

The dialogue session with residents was also attended by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Datuk Jamili Nais, as well as representatives from Parti Bersatu Sabah, the Sandakan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Sandakan United Chinese Communities Association.

Earlier this month, Scoop reported that some 100 residents gathered in front of the Sandakan Municipal Council building to protest the council’s plan to raise assessment rates.

Yesterday, Karamunting assemblyman Datuk George Hiew in a statement said there was a lack of communication between the municipal council and the local community, resulting in misinformation and misunderstanding about the assessment revision.

While media and certain politicians had highlighted the hike, they had failed to mention examples where the new assessment rates would actually be lower, such as in areas where the property value has dropped, Hiew said.

He urged the municipal council to conduct a town hall to properly explain to the public about the assessment revision. – October 19, 2023

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