PENANG taxpayers, who have appealed for assessment tax review, will have their cases heard from Oct 29 till March next year.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the taxpayers would be invited to attend a hearing session conducted by an Appeal Committee.
“If the affected property owners, who filed their appeals could not attend the hearing session, then they could send their respective representative by providing him or her with a letter of authority. Failing to do so, the representative is not allowed to represent the person.
“After the hearing sessions are concluded at March next year, the taxpayers’ grouses are expected to be resolved. By then, they will know the outcome of their appeals through an official letter, which will be sent to them by the local city councils.
“After the deadline to submit objections ended Oct 14, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) received a total of 54,239 appeals which are equivalent to 16.82 percent while Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) received 35,523 appeals which are equivalent to 11.22 percent.
“In total, there are 89,762 objections from the 639,102 registered property owners.
“We (state) adhere to the Section 142 (2) of Local Government Act 1976 by giving the affected owners rights to be heard,” he told a press conference in Komtar today.
Jagdeep said the hearing would be held at separate locations with three on the island and four on the mainland.
On the island, it would be held at City Hall in Padang Kota Lama, Bilik Perdana at Level 4, Komtar and Balik Pulau market complex.
Over on the mainland, it would take place at Dewan Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) Bertam Sports Complex, MBSP Branch in Jalan Betek and multipurpose hall in Jawi.
Jagdeep added that the first-term assessment tax issued on January next year would follow the existing rates.
“The taxpayers can pay their first bill following current rates before following new rates on the second half of the year.
“Any arrears will be included in the second bill,” he said.
Also present were Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud and MBPP secretary Datuk Addnan Razali.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian