A BN state assemblyman has criticised the Selangor government for failing to honour its general election manifesto to reduce property assessment rates by 20 percent.

Kuang state assemblyperson Abdul Shukor Idrus said Selangor people had yet to benefit from lower property assessment rates although the opposition had been in power for over two years.

"The Pakatan Rakyat state government made this promise in its general election manifesto.

"It is only good at making empty promises. The people feel cheated," he told reporters at the state assembly in Shah Alam today.

State exco for local government, study and research Ronnie Liu had said government was still studying whether to reduce property assessment rates as local authorities (PBT) were not financially strong.

He was replying to a question by Lau Weng San (DAP-Kampung Tunku) who asked when the state government would reduce property assessment rates as promised in the elexction manifesto.

Liu said analysis of PBT cash reserve against operating cost in the financial report ending Dec 31 2009, found that only five PBT could operate without collecting property assessment.

They are Petaling Jaya City Council (5.94 months), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (3.21), Kajang Municipal Council (4.06) and Subang Jaya Municipal Council (5.45).

"Seven other PBT can't operate without collecting the annual property assessment," said the state exco member.

The state government was taking measures to collect 90 percent property assessment tax and 70 percent of arrears.

Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that he could not guarantee  Selangor people of lower property assessment rates as promised as it depended on state budget.

- Bernama