ALOR SETAR: The Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) is currently carrying out the process of reassessing the new assessment tax, before it is implemented starting Jan 1, 2026. Alor Setar Mayor Datuk Abdul Gafar Yahya said the reassessment was appropriate, after 32 years (since 1993) it had not been carried out in his administrative area.

He said 95,170 holdings or owners had received new assessment notices, which began being distributed by post since Oct 9.

“This review is in line with the provisions of Section 137 and Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1976, and aims to align tax rates with the current value of properties,” he told reporters here, today.

Abdul Gafar said the percentage rate used according to the holding category or type of property is in line with the provisions of Section 130 (3)(a), including residential, business, industrial, association buildings, special properties and vacant lots, which is between 0.03 percent to 0.4 percent.

However, he said MBAS still gives owners room to object if they are not satisfied with the new assessment tax value.

“Objections can be submitted on the 3rd floor of the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Complex here, before the deadline ends on Nov 5.

“MBAS always wants to ensure fairness to property owners and open up as much space as possible before new tax assessments are implemented,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Kedah Consumers Association (CAKE) today presented a memorandum of objection to the new assessment tax assessment which is allegedly burdensome to the people to the Mayor at the MBAS office here.

CAKE President Mohamad Yusrizal Yusoff, through the memorandum, asked MBAS to postpone the assessment until a detailed study is conducted to avoid burdening consumers.

Mohamad Yusrizal said MBAS was also asked not to increase taxes suddenly, as an increase of up to two times or more would be very burdensome to consumers.
“MBAS also needs to provide more space to extend the time to make objections if the new assessment value is not agreed to by the owner.

“MBAS also needs to proactively go down to residential areas and business premises to explain and discuss this issue more clearly because many people still do not receive accurate and authentic information,” he said.

— BERNAMA