THE Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has consented to the declaring the municipality of Pasir Gudang as a city, effective today.

Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad told this to reporters after a meeting with the Pasir Gudang City Council staff at Kota Iskandar today, during which he also handed over the instrument on the proclamation to its mayor, Asman Shah Abdul Rahman.

Also present were Johor State Secretary Azmi Rohani and the state housing and local government committee chairman Ayub Jamil.

Hasni said the council is the third local authority in the state to be upgraded as a city after the Johor Baru City Council in 1994 and the Iskandar Puteri City Council in 2017.

“Pasir Gudang’s rapid development as an industrial city and port by having two international ports and the comprehensive infrastructure that prioritises the people’s wellbeing, meet the requirements, and therefore, it is appropriate for Pasir Gudang to be accorded a city status,” he said.

According to Hasni, the city council’s jurisdiction covers an area of 35.956ha, encompassing the districts of Tiram and Plentong, with a population of 533,868 people, involving Malay (66%), Chinese and Indian (11% each), with the other 2% comprising others.

There are 90,758 property holdings with an estimated revenue of RM127.2 million per year, he said, adding that as of December 31 last year, the council collected  RM103,132,089 in current assessment rate, or 85.6%, of RM120,458,033.

It also collected RM18,925,282 in assessment tax arrears, or 61.1% of the total arrears of RM30,967,097.

On the total revenue collected during the same period, he said, it amounted to RM182.7 million.

The state government thanked the Johor sultan for his consent and hoped the city status would further enhance Pasir Gudang and its surrounding localities through a world-class service delivery system.

Meanwhile, Asman, who is former Mersing district officer, said he would focus on security issues and the wellbeing of the city folk.

“My focus is on making Pasir Gudang a safe and sustainable industrial city for its residents to live in.

“Besides that, I will also focus on social aspects, including ensuring the continuity of the 16 traditional villages in the city area,” he added. – Bernama, November 22, 2020.