KL residents protest hike in property assessment rates

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The mayor of Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, Ahmad Phesal Talib, has come under fire for allegedly hiking property assessment rates by up to five times.

Hundreds of angry city folk thronged the mayor's office to register their complaints and demanded to see him to protest against the controversial hike.

The increase in property assessment rates is adding to the burden of rising costs for the average citizen.

Many city folk are finding it hard to cope with rising prices following fuel price increases, the removal of sugar subsidies and imminent electricity and toll rate hikes.

Michael Anthony, a KL resident, said: "The people can't be expected to bear with all these increases. If our salaries increase, okay, we are fine with it, but our incomes are not increasing, so where are we going to get the income from? Don't tell me (you will) ask the people to go to the streets to do crime and rob?"

Many also lashed out at the government for burdening the people now that the general election is over.

While city folks are bracing for a tough year ahead with higher inflation and so on, the Kuala Lumpur city hall has argued that it is the first rate hike in 21 years, and the additional funding is necessary to improve the infrastructure and service in the city.

Nevertheless, the city hall has promised to look into property owners’ complaints and grievances before making a final decision on the rate hikes.