The MPs also urged the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) to withdraw the notices sent to property owners.
KUALA LUMPUR: Seven Pakatan MPs will meet Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor at the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) headquarters at noon tomorrow to discuss the drastic increase in assessment rates.
The MPs also urged the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) to withdraw the notices sent to property owners.
Property owners were shocked when DBKL sent assessment notices which saw increases of between 100% and 300%.
In a joint statement today, seven Pakatan MPs said they would meet Tengku Adnan tomorrow to discuss the issue on condition that the notices, which expires on Dec 17, must be withdrawn.
Another condition is that they must also be given a copy of the latest KL Draft Plan before it is gazetted by DBKL.
The MPs who signed the statement are Nurul Izzah Anwar (Lembah Pantai), Tan Kok Wai (Cheras), Fong Kui Lun,(Bukit Bintang), Teresa Kok (Seputeh), Lim Lip Eng (Segambut), Tian Chua (Batu) and Tan Kee Kwong (Wangsa Maju).
Tian Chua said they were not consulted before DBKL embarked on the exercise to increase the rate.
“Rather than us going around filing petition papers with the residents, it is easier for DBKL to put on hold the rate increase pending discussion,” he said.
Kok Wai said his service centre had received more than 1,000 objections to the rate increase and estimated the number to grow to 200,000 before the deadline.
“The city council is required under the Local Government Act 1976 to conduct a public hearing on the rate increase. I wonder how is DBKL going to hear each and everyone of them?” he asked.
He also said the rate increase was unfair because DBKL was enjoying a surplus as reflected in its Budget 2013 last year.
He noted that DBKL’s revenue was expected to grow from RM1.46 billion in 2012 to RM1.62 billion this year, while income from assessment rates stood at RM880.5 million.
DBKL is expected to achieve a surplus budget due to an increase of the many new properties and also development charges paid by developers.
Kee Kwong said many civil servants from Taman Melati were caught in bind over the major rate hike.
“They bought their houses for RM120,000 back then but now DBKL estimates the properties to be worth RM600,000. They are retirees, how are they going to pay?” he asked. fmt
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