SIBU, May 23: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has been urged to rebate all companies the 50 per cent penalty they had paid while renewing their trade licenses.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman, Councillor Clarence Ting said upon re-opening of Urban Transformation Centre (UTC), many traders went there to renew their trade licenses but they were told to pay RM25 as their license had expired between March 18 to May 14.
“According to the normal procedure, upon expiry there is a 14-day grace period to renew their license or else traders have to pay a penalty of 50 per cent,” he said.
Ting said as the UTC was closed during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, there was no other way for them to make payment to renew the trade license.
On the reopening of UTC on May 15, he said an average of 900 visitors were recorded daily.
Due to the Raya celebration, the UTC is again closed from May 23 to 27 and will reopen on May 28. The operating hours are from 8am to 4pm.
Touching on the assessment rate for 2020, he said the amended bill with 25 per cent discount for all the municipal holdings will be ready by May 27.
“As the council will not be delivering these bills as like in previous years, we are asking all to register their email so we can send the rates via email. For those who have no email, they can go to UTC Sibu to print it,” he added.
The deadline to pay the rate is on Oct 30 for both 1st half and 2nd half rates.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in unveiling the Sayangku Sarawak Covid-10 financial package on March 23, said a 25% discount on assessment rates above RM400 will be given to
residential, commercial, industrial and special purpose holdings for the year 2020.
On crowd control at the central market which was implemented on May 18, most people were glad that the registration was cancelled as there were long queues at all the five entrances.
The people were however happy with the temperature measurements, he said.
“Now the flow is smooth and I do not see any crowded areas while I was walking around. The hawkers did mention their business suffered but they know these are necessary measures to keep everyone safe,:
he added.
