The assessment rates throughout Selangor were set based on the current property valuation made by the valuation and property services department of the Finance Ministry, said Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today in Shah Alam.

He said officers of the local authorities could not arbitrarily raise assessment rates on local residents.

"The local authorities applied the valuation made by the valuation and property services department to set the assessment rates in their areas," he said in a statement.

Abdul Khalid said he had directed the local authorities involved to hold meetings with residents associations or individuals who did not agree with the assessment imposed.

The state government would look into every complaint and was prepared to give reduction in certain cases, but the owners needed to pay the full rate when they wanted to sell the property, he said.

Last Saturday, Selangor MCA criticised the Shah Alam city council (MBSA) for raising assessment rates by 10 fold effective next year.

Subang MCA chairman Lee Wei Kiat said the increase imposed on Sungai Buloh New Village and Subang New Village residents was considered extremely high and should be withdrawn immediately.

"The assessment hike is unreasonable and burdensome for the residents. The assessment rates started to rise in 2011, 2012 and including next year's increase, the rates would have exceeded 10 times that charged three years ago.

"According to the records, some residents paid assessment rate of RM1,470 to MBSA in 2011 and the amount increased to RM5,512 the following year, and according to the latest notice received, the rate is RM23,040 for 2013," he said.

Lee said the residents were questioning the rationale behind the hike when the services provided by the local authority were unsatisfactory.

- Bernama