By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 30: The Sarawak government is offering up to a 50 per cent discount on outstanding assessment rate payments to encourage property owners to settle their arrears.
In a TVS report, Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Sarawak, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, said the initiative reflects the government’s concern for the people’s financial burden while ensuring that local authorities (PBT) have sufficient revenue to provide services to the community.
“If they can’t pay in full, they can opt for instalment payments as long as they follow the schedule. For arrears, we are offering a 50 per cent discount to encourage payment,” he said during a press conference and closing of the 2025 Sarawak Local Authorities Valuation and Taxation Workshop in Miri on Thursday (Aug 28).
He explained that the deadline for assessment rate payments is set on May 31 and October 31 every year, with reminders displayed on notice boards at every local authority office.
“We hope the public will be more aware of these dates. With the instalment option and the 50 per cent discount, it should no longer be a heavy burden.
“Assessment rate collections are important as they contribute 60 to 70 per cent of local authority revenue in Sarawak, with the remaining amount coming from allocations by the State and federal governments,” he said.
Penguang also highlighted that many local authorities are currently operating under a budget deficit, adding that the initiative to ease the public’s burden is balanced with efforts to enhance revenue collection efficiency through digital systems.
A 50 per cent discount on late payment charges for assessment rates is also being offered to all property owners, effective Feb 1 until Dec 31, 2025. — DayakDaily
