Y.Bhg. Dato’ Rumaizi bin Baharin@Md Daud, the Mayor of Ipoh, officiated the 2024 MBI Engagement Day Program at Stadium Indera Mulia earlier this morning. The event was also attended by Y.Bhg. Clr. Dato’ Haji Mazlan Bin Abd. Rahman, Clr. Tuan Wong Kar Keat, Chief Whip of the City Council Members, other council members, Tuan Haji Ahmad Munir bin Ishak (City Secretary), senior directors, and department heads of MBI.
The Ipoh City Council is currently in the process of preparing a New Valuation List for all holdings within its administrative area, as stipulated under the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171). According to this act, Local Authorities (LAs) must prepare a New Valuation List every five years or within an extended period as determined by the State Authority.
The preparation of this New Valuation List has been approved by the State Authority through the Perak State Executive Council (MMK) meeting in September 2024. It covers the entire administrative area of Ipoh, which spans 64,324.5 hectares (643.245 km²), including Mukim Hulu Kinta, parts of Mukim Sungai Raya, and parts of Mukim Sungai Terap.
There may still be members of the public or property owners who do not fully understand the purpose of preparing this New Valuation List. It is essential for reasons such as:
- Failure by the Local Authority to prepare and enforce a New Valuation List within the stipulated timeframe under Act 171 may result in the inability to levy assessment taxes on new holdings.
- The current Valuation List used by the Ipoh City Council is based on 1982 valuation levels, which no longer reflect current market values and are significantly outdated. By implementing the new valuation, taxpayers will have a more accurate and updated representation of their property’s current market value as a basis for calculating their taxes.
- The process of preparing the New Valuation List indirectly updates property account information and records, including ownership details, lot information, building numbers, lot subdivisions, current property use, issuance of new titles, building modifications, and more.
In general, rising management costs and development expenses, particularly for solid waste management and infrastructure, necessitate efficient revenue sources to balance the Ipoh City Council’s financial position. A robust financial position ensures quality services and the comfort of the public.
Overall, the preparation of this New Valuation List enables the Ipoh City Council to review and restructure the tax rates imposed on all holdings to align them with current and updated valuations.
Starting in October 2024, the Council began distributing 319,758 New Valuation List notices to property owners across residential, industrial, commercial, special property, vacant land, and village areas, either physically or by post.
The receipt of these notices has raised concerns among residents about the new taxes, which are perceived as excessively high and burdensome, especially in the current economic climate.
The Council is deeply aware of and sensitive to the concerns and anxiety felt by all residents and property owners in the Ipoh administrative area.
The MBI Engagement Day Program provides an opportunity for property owners to thoroughly review their property valuations. New Valuation List inquiry counters have also been set up at the Main Building of the Ipoh City Council Headquarters from October 24, 2024, to December 2024, to assist property owners in checking their new valuations.
The Council also provides an avenue for attendees to file objections if they are dissatisfied with the new valuations. These objections can be submitted via an official letter to the Ipoh City Council.
The Council will conduct objection hearings in phases, with the first phase scheduled for late 2024 and the second phase in 2025. Property owners who have lodged objections will be contacted by the Council through an official letter to attend these hearings.
It is hoped that this program will offer a clear explanation regarding the preparation of the New Valuation List for all holdings within Ipoh, as well as address related concerns about assessment taxes.
Source:MBI
