KOTA KINABALU: The Sandakan Municipal Council has yet to submit a proposal to increase assessment rates for 2024 to the Sabah government.
“So what decision can we give?” state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said when contacted yesterday.
The issue on whether the controversial proposal to increase the assessment rates this year has been lingering, with ratepayers kept in the dark.
Sandakan Municipal Council president Henry Idol added to the confusion when he said there is no official announcement on the issue as yet.
His statement followed claims by politicians and community leaders that the assessment rates will not be increased in 2024.
“The news on social media is not true... We advise those spreading such news not to confuse the public,” he added.
However, his statement stopped short of clearing the air on the payment of rates for 2024, which are already due.
Community leaders urged the council to put on hold the proposed increase in assessment rates until the economic situation improves.
The proposed increase’s quantum has not been publicly disclosed but businesses have claimed that the hike could be between 30% and 80%.
The council maintained that it has not hiked assessments for some time, although it is required by law to review it every four years.
