SIBU: The Sarawak government provides grants to local authorities (PBT) to help ease their financial burdens caused by the exemption of property taxes for longhouses and residential properties with low property tax rates.
Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil said the grants aim to enable the local authorities to provide better services to residents under their jurisdictions.
In 2017, the state government waived property taxes for all longhouses and residential properties with property tax rates of less than RM50 per month.
“To cover the losses resulting from this tax exemption, the government decided to provide grants to PBTs. However, it is insufficient because the responsibilities of PBTs today are not the same as they were 20 years ago.
“This is because they now provide more services to the people, and at the same time, the public demands many services that require funds and expenditure.
“Therefore, the Sarawak government has proposed several options to increase revenue among PBTs across Sarawak,” he said.
He was met by reporters after officiating at the prize-giving ceremony for the 2024 Central Zone School-Level Recycling Programme Competition held at the Sarawak Islamic Complex Hall on Tuesday (Jan 14).
He said the state government is currently exploring alternative methods to help PBTs enhance their income sources without burdening the public, as reinstating property taxes is deemed unethical.
Touching on the recycling competition, he said it aims to nurture and instill environmental awareness among school children and the public in specific areas.
He noted that this initiative helps mitigate or reduce the effects of environmental pollution and climate change.
“Although this may seem like a small step, it is crucial to cultivate a love for the environment among school students, city residents, and PBTs,” he said.
A total of 30 primary schools and 12 secondary schools from the central zone participated in the competition.
In the primary school category, the champion was Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Tiong Ho, Sarikei, followed by SJKC Hang Kwong and SJKC Nang Kiang.
In the secondary school category, SMK Tong Hua, Bintangor, secured first place, followed by SMK Methodist, Sibu, and SMK Kampung Nangka, Sibu.
Special awards for the highest aluminum collection went to SJKC Wah Man, Sarikei, and SMK Chung Hua, Sibu, while the highest plastic collection awards went to SJKC Thian Hua, Sibu, and SMK Methodist, Sibu.
The award for the highest collection of electronic waste (e-waste) was bagged by SK Lubok Bemban, Mukah, and SMK Methodist, Sibu.
Also present were the ministry’s permanent secretary Datuk Elizabeth Loh, and Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting.
