By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 19: Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian has responded to Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong’s comments on the Prima Bintawa assessment rate issue, describing her statement as an attempt to “play hero” and gain political mileage under the guise of championing the people.
Dr Sim questioned: “What happened to the RM2 petrol per litre promise by DAP (Democratic Action Party)?”
He clarified that Yong’s claim that “Prima Bintawa is an affordable housing scheme developed by the government for the lower-income group” was misleading.
Elaborating, he said Kuching South City Council (MBKS) thoroughly reviewed requests for a reduction in the assessment rates for Prima Bintawa properties in 2021 with this process included site inspections and obtaining independent valuations from professional valuers from other councils.
“However, based on the principle of fairness and making decision not on the arbitrary manner, the valuation for rating purposes were maintained.
“Prima Bintawa’s eligibility criteria allow ownership for individuals or families with household incomes ranging from RM2,500 to RM15,000, encompassing not only the B40 group but also the M40 and T20 categories,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech in the august House today.
Dr Sim highlighted that Prima Bintawa properties are comparable to standard housing developments, with facilities such as a kindergarten, surau, multipurpose hall, recreational amenities, and a playground.
Despite these facilities, which typically influence valuation for rating purposes, he said they were not factored into Prima Bintawa’s assessment rates.
Prima Bintawa properties, with floor areas of 948, 1,038, and 1,158 square feet, are assessed at RM463.75, RM484.95, and RM540.60 respectively, before discounts.
Comparatively, nearby Neu Pendington, a similar strata development, has assessment rates of RM458.45 and RM588.30 for units measuring 865 and 1,110 square feet respectively.
“After applying the 2016 discount rate introduced by the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, Prima Bintawa’s rates remain lower per square foot compared to Neu Pendington,” Dr Sim emphasised.
Dr Sim elaborated that local authorities rely on standardised manuals developed by professional valuers to determine assessment rates, ensuring consistency and adherence to the Local Authority Ordinance, 1995.
“These guidelines ensure fair application of valuation principles and prevent arbitrary adjustments, which could lead to compliance issues,” he explained. — DayakDaily
