Johor to impose property assessment rate on foreign ownership
The move also affect local owners whose property is valued above RM1 million and is expected to be implemented within this year.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the move was crucial as the last review on assessment rate was carried out between the 1980s and 1990s.
He said the decision would allow the councils to generate more income in order to provide better services.
"It is time for us to look at foreign ownership in the state because our people in other countries are also imposed a different tax rate."
"For locals with property valued below RM1 million, the rate will remain the same."
"Currently, six local councils, including the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), have completed their review of the assessment rate, which are awaiting the nod from the government.
"The public now expects better services from the local councils, and for the local councils to render better service, they must be in a strong and stable position to fulfil the aspirations of the people," he said after attending a working visit to the Permas Jaya zone here, where he is also its state assemblyman.
Currently, foreigners are only subjected to guidelines as they can only buy properties that are above RM500,000 and property developers can only sell up to 30 per cent of their non-low and medium-cost properties to foreigners, in a bid to protect the interests of the locals.
Khaled said RM4 million allocation by the federal and state government has been channelled to the MBJB for the development of its road infrastructures, the construction of a new bridge for vehicles from Permas Jaya to the Permas Jaya industrial estate leading to Pasir Gudang and a new community hall with a library.
"This allocation was approved before I became the Menteri Besar. Even if I had not won the Permas state seat, I will still care about the issues faced by the people.
"And Permas Jaya, being under the jurisdiction of the MBJB, I want the facilities in this zone to mirror the efficiency of MBJB. This will portray us as a Pro-Rakyat government," he said.
Khaled said all the 24 zones under MBJB would be given amenities like community halls and mosques.
Khaled, who listened as the community grassroots air their grouses to him yesterday, also urged the local councillors to be the eyes and ears of the state government,