THE Johor government has announced a 30% rebate on assessment rates for property owners in five districts affected by the tax hike next year, the assembly was told today.

Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi (Machap-BN) said the rebate was to alleviate the burden of property owners.

“As a government that consistently listens to the concerns of the people facing economic uncertainties, I am pleased to inform that next year, the government has agreed the five districts will provide a 30% rebate on the new assessment tax adjustment.

“Hopefully the rebate and discounts can ease the burden on taxpayers,” he said on the last day of the assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail today.

Onn Hafiz said out of 807,441 holdings in the five districts, 326,720 holdings, or 40.46%, were not subject to the new rate hike.

Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said only about 19,000 property owners, or 2.4%, raised objections over the new tax adjustment.

Speaking to reporters after the assembly sitting today, he said the rebate would see a reduced collection of RM66 million, compared with the estimated RM162 million.

“For now, the rebate is for 2024, but the state government is willing to consider implementing this in following years,” Jafni said.

The five districts are Johor Baru, Iskandar Puteri, Pasir Gudang, Kluang and Pengerang.

The assembly sitting was adjourned sine die. – Bernama, December 3, 2023.