Ampang Jaya folk say tax hikes unjustified

Ani says the tax increase would add RM14mil to MPAJ’s coffers, on top of its current annual collection of RM85mil.

THE planned assessment tax hike in Ampang Jaya, Selangor, has drawn criticism from ratepayers who question if the quality of the local council’s service justifies the increase.

During its full board meeting on Thursday, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) announced a revaluation exercise that would increase the rate by up to 25% for unaltered or unmodified properties.

Renovated properties might be subject to higher rates.

Taman Melawati Residents Association chairman Azahari Abdul Taharim said members were unhappy with the local council’s lack of maintenance of public facilities.

He said there were many potholes and faulty streetlights in the municipality that needed repairs.

“There is no schedule for maintenance and residents often have to call the council to ask for repairs to be done.

“Even then, it takes days before action is taken. Sometimes, our complaints fall on deaf ears,” he told StarMetro.

Dallas Villa Pandan Heights joint management body chairman Haresh Vikram Jayakumar said the residents were planning to submit an appeal to MPAJ.

“We were notified about the hike on Wednesday.

“Many residents have expressed concern that the figure is too high.

“We are collecting signatures to ask MPAJ to reduce the rate,” he said, adding that many unit owners were retirees with no income.

Pandan Jaya apartment unit owner Nafisah Abd Hamid, however, understands the need for the rate increase but hope it would not be too high.

“The revaluation is overdue.

“If it’s not revised, this might affect the council’s ability to serve the municipality,” she said.

The revaluation exercise was approved during the state executive council meeting last Dec 6.

The last evaluation was done in 1997.

The new rates, if approved, would come into effect next year.

At the full board meeting, MPAJ president Dr Ani Ahmad said the valuation would involve some 180,000 properties, comprising some 85,000 landed ones and 95,000 strata units.

She said the tax increase would add RM14mil to MPAJ’s coffers, on top of its current annual collection of RM85mil.

A video explaining the valuation exercise is set to be uploaded to the local council’s social media pages.

Additionally, a service counter would be set up at MPAJ’s headquarters for property owners to seek details on the assessment process.

They can also file appeals there before May 15.

On a related matter, Ani said an operation would be conducted on tax defaulters in Taman Melawati and Lembah Maju on April 29 and 30.

It would target 150 residential properties with total accumulated arrears amounting to about RM660,000, she said.

“Those who fail to pay will have their household items seized.

“We urge those with outstanding payments to settle them.”