DBKL to decide new assessment rates after panel studies objections

KUALA LUMPUR: The new assessment rates will only be decided after the panel appointed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) completes studying the objections received.

This will be done after the objection period ends on Dec 17 and the decision made will be at the discretion of DBKL before enforcement Jan 1.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor said the new assessment rates would not burden the people, especially the low income group and residents of People's Housing Projects (PPR).

"We will not make it difficult for the people. We don't talk but work for the people based on justice. Wait for my announcement after the appointed panel studies all the objections.

"Our decision is rational and does not burden the people," he told reporters after opening the Back to School Carnival and groundbreaking ceremony of Batu Umno division, here today.

Some 450 students received schooling equipment and cash from Federal Territory Foundation at a ceremony also attended by Batu Umno division chief Datuk Yahaya Mat Ghani.

Tengku Adnan said the government did not revise the assessment rates for 21 years adding the new rates would not oppress the people as the proposal takes into account the specific needs of city folks.

Until Dec 5, DBKL had received 10,000 objection letters on the increase since it issued a notice in mid Nov to over 500,000 residents, with 56 percent involving owners of commercial properties.

Asked about opposition claims that Umno members were having fun at the general assembly and did not care for the flood victims, he said the claims were baseless as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and several ministers had visited the flood victims.

Tengku Adnan who is also Umno secretary-general said the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister took turns inspecting the flood situation.

"Datuk Seri Najib rushed to Pahang soon after opening the Umno general assembly at Putra World Trade Centre on Thursday while Tan Sri Muhyiddin went to Terengganu the next day."

The four states of Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and Johor were hit by flooding early this week following continuous rainfall.