KUALA LUMPUR: THE proposed increase in the
assessment rate has low-income salary earners, retirees and those without
stable incomes worried that they may not be able to afford to pay their
assessments come Jan 1.
About 200
Taman Sri Segambut residents who are unhappy with the steep hike recently
recorded their objections at the night market in their neighbourhood.
Pensioner
Kernial Singh, 61, said he was shocked to receive a notice which stated that
the valuation for his property was RM14,400. He figured that the new assessment
rate would be around RM880.
"I am
working at a security firm and I only get paid about RM1,000 per month. I urge
City Hall to reevaluate the proposed hike and consider the plight of low-income
earners," he said.
Pensioner
Kamal Abu Bakar, 65, said City Hall could increase the fees in line with the
rise in property values but it must be reasonable.
"We
have to bear with the high cost of living in the city, especially after the
fuel and sugar subsidy cuts," said Kamal, who has been living in Segambut
for about 50 years.
Segambut member of parliament Lim
Lip Eng said more
than 1,200 people in Segambut constituency had recorded their objections to the
hike.
"We
will hold a peaceful rally to protest against the assessment hike in front of
City Hall on Dec 16 at 11am," said Lim.
More than
100 residents from the Mutiara Magna low-cost flats in Taman Metro Prima Kepong
also signed a petition against the hike.
Residents
felt that City Hall had not take into account the hardship that would be faced
by low-income salary earners, pensioners and retirees when they announced the
hike.
Abu Bakar
K.K. Ibrahim, a 48-year-old civil servant, said it would put more pressure on
the middle income group who were already burdened with a lot of bills and
expenses.
"We
are still paying for our home. That is already over RM300," he said.
"Then
there is the maintenance fees, car loan, children's schooling, utility bills
and other things.
"With
little left to put in our savings how can we afford to pay the assessment rate
if it is too steep?
Tiu Eng
Hua, 74, said he was uncertain over how he was going to pay his assessment bill
next year.
"I am
old and so is my wife, and we are childless. At this age, I am surviving doing
odd jobs and it is just enough as it is but if they (City Hall) expect me to
come up with hundreds of ringgit, I do not know how I am going to get it,"
he said.
Mutiara
Magna residents' association Ahasrap Khan said there were about 1,200 residents
living in the flats and the majority were opposed to the steep increase.
"We
will collect all the objections and submit it to City Hall before the
deadline," he said.
Kepong
community service centre head Yee Poh Ping who was also at the peaceful protest
rally said City Hall should come up with a reasonable rate which everyone would
be happy to pay.
