KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Nov: A petition will be circulated to all residents of Kuala Lumpur to protest against the tax increase by 100 to 300 percent imposed by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai, Nurul Izzah Anwar, said that the increase in assessment tax only adds to the people’s suffering as they now face increasing cost of living.
She said even though DNKL has not raised assessment tax for 21 years, the dramatic increase is absurd.
“The reason given is that the property value should be given a new value, however this cannot be accepted.
“The people now face increasing prices of oil, sugar and will face the GST. DBKL cannot raise taxes from 100 to 300 percent, even though they have not raised taxes for 21 years,” she told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.
She said that DBKL has allegedly failed to show the amount of expenses used for infrastructural development on its official website.
“All taxpayers need to know where the money paid goes to, but DBKL has failed to show this,” she said.
Nurul Izzah said that she has met with the Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, and was told that the new assessment rate will still be executed on 7 December.
She said that the central government should closely examine and listen to feedback from the people before issuing a directive.
In relation to that, she urged the residents, whether renting or own a house in Kuala Lumpur, to file the petition so that DBKL will reconsider the increase.
“Only a two month notice was given and this is really pressing for the people. I urge all residents to send this petition addressed to the DBKL Director of Assessment, Valuation and Property Management,” she said.