Kedah Gerakan is disappointed with the PAS-led state government for levying the full land tax on Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), and for being ‘insincere’ about resolving the issue.

NONE State Youth chief Tan Keng Liang said in a statement that he is not satisfied with the state government’s clarification of the matter.

He said the state must understand that UUM is a tertiary institution which grooms human capital and develops the potential of the younger generation.

 

“The PAS government’s (decision) to cancel the land tax rebate (given by the past BN-led  government) is the reason for the (increased payment),” he said.

 

“This will undermine UUM’s budget which should be used to assist the development of students.”

 

Tan was referring to the decision which penang kedah timber logging azizan abdul razak 310708 03 will see UUM having to meet a 12-fold increase in land tax, from RM100,000 to RM1.2 million annually.

 

Kedah Chief Minister Azizan Abdul Razak (right) said this is in line with the sum stipulated in the original contract.

UUM had paid RM100,000 annually from 2006-2008 after the BN state government approved the rebate. This was withdrawn when Pakatan Rakyat took over the state in 2008.

Takeover offer criticised

Azizan also offered to take over UUM if the institution cannot afford to pay the tax.

Responding, Tan said: “The government should resolve a problem which it has started and not issue a new challenge which is not helpful.

 

“This issue can be resolved if the government maintains the land tax at RM100,000 annually…I hope they will be sensitive to the development of the students.”

Yesterday, Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin had criticised the Kedah government’s decision.