Penang’s quit rent rates revised with full empathy, consideration, says Chow

Penang’s quit rent rates revised with full empathy, consideration, says Chow

3 hours ago

Dineskumar Ragu

The chief minister says while the state government needs to ensure a steady stream of revenue, it has also worked to ease ratepayers’ financial burdens.

Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang government extended the provision of quit rent rebates until next year after taking note of sentiments on the ground.

GEORGE TOWN:

The Penang government’s decision to increase quit rent rates was made with “full empathy and due consideration”, chief minister Chow Kon Yeow told the state assembly.

Chow said the state government had explained its rationale for revising the rates after more than three decades.

He said the state government had also taken note of sentiments on the ground, prompting it to extend quit rent rebates until next year.

“This is to balance the impact of the quit rent increase, which is crucial to ensuring a steady stream of revenue for the state government, as non-tax revenue is not fixed and difficult to predict,” he said while winding up the debate on the state’s 2027 budget.

Chow was responding to Lim Guan Eng (PH-Air Putih), who reiterated his call on Monday for the state government to freeze tax increases to reduce the financial burden on Penangites.

Lim had said that ordinary people and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises facing challenging economic conditions should not have to contend with higher taxes and compliance costs.

The relief measures announced by the Penang government included a 50% rebate for most landowners, nominal charges of RM50 for schools and certain non-profit landowners, and instalment payments.