by AFIQ AZIZ/ pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

Premise owners in Kuala Lumpur (KL) who are unable to rent out their units  could get discounts on assessment tax,  says Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

Annuar said owners can make a written application to the KL City Hall (DBKL) and the Mayor, who will decide on the quantum of the rebate.

This, would alleviate the burden on the premise owners who lost their income due to the enforcement of movement control order (MCO) enforcement.

“The decisions will be made on a case-to-case basis,” Annuar said after launching the third phase of the ministry’s Wilayah Cakna initiative in Putrajaya today.

“The purpose of assessment tax is to collect money from the premises that generate income. But since they did not, they can apply and present their case to DBKL for this rebate or exemption,” he added.

Payable to DBKL twice a year, owners could be compounded if they fail to make the settlement accordingly.

On the Wilayah Cakna initiative – a programme to ease the burden of the urban poor and B40 group, Annuar said RM39.75 million is allocated for this round beginning October to December, covering all residents in Putrajaya, Labuan and KL.

The initiative includes the provision of rent exemptions at DBKL owned houses and business premises, food vouchers, school fees exemption and disbursement of cash for “Back to School” programme.

DBKL will also give a three-month rent exemption for residents in the National Economic Action Committee’s People Housing Projects, from October until December 2020, expected to benefit 40,000 renters.

“DBKL will also exempt the renewal licensed fee for hawkers and small businesses This will involve 1,339 accounts,” Annuar said.
At the same time, some 302 hawkers and small businesses in Putrajaya will also come under the exemption for premise rental charges and are also exempted from paying the fees to renew their licenses within the three months period.

Annuar also announced a one-off contribution of RM3,000 to 11 residents‘ representatives councils in KL and six sub-zone councils in Putrajaya, as well as RM2,000 to 570 residents associations in both cities.

The allocation, he said is meant for implementing Covid-19 prevention programmes in their respective communities.