SIBU: Deputy Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Minister Michael Tiang has pledged to look into the truth behind whether the revised quit rent that took effect on Jan 1, 2023, has exceeded a 100 per cent increment.
The Pelawan assemblyman said that it was announced that the increment of the quit rent is not more than 100 per cent, but some landowners had presented records and evidence that the increment is indeed more than 100 per cent.
“Some of the landowners went to the Land and Survey Department to pay for their quit rent for the year 2023, and they were shocked because the rate that they were asked to pay was beyond the 100 per cent increment.
“So, I asked these landowners to collect all the so-called records and give them to me, and I will do some homework to verify this information with the Land and Survey Department,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after a dialogue session with the Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) and Sarawak Association of Marine Industry (SAMIN) here yesterday (Jan 14).
Tiang noted that it is a serious issue if it is true that the rate of quit rent that the public was asked to pay is different from the official rate that had been announced; if the claim is true, he will bring this matter to the attention of the top leaders and relevant departments as it is unacceptable.
“The landowners have no objection if the rate they paid is according to the official announcement. If the increment is more than 100 per cent, it is quite harmful to the local economy and the Sarawak economy, especially during post-COVID-19.
“I will follow up on this matter, and I will ask them to submit their evidence to me for verification myself,” he said.
For records, the new quit rent rates have increased from 22 sen to RM1.62 per square metre for shophouses and from 20 sen to RM1.46 per square metre for other commercial uses aside from shophouses and ports, such as mining, mineral, and trace element use.
Meanwhile, for industrial use, the rental rates increased from 9 sen to 43 sen per square metre; office and mixed development use, from 5 sen to 23 sen per square metre; recreational use, from 3 sen to 12 sen per square metre; oil and gas industry usage at 54 sen per square metre; and for other land use, from 2 sen to 8 sen per square metre.
End with pics.
SBW-tiang 1-1501-avk: Tiang seen at the dialogue session.
