The government is mulling the possibility of waiving the assessment rate hikes for low and middle-cost properties in Kuala Lumpur, English-language daily Star reported today.

NONE “It is also possible that we will not increase the rates for property owners living in their own houses,” Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor reportedly said.

“Another way is to implement the increase by stages.”

He was quoted as conceding that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) should have explained the issue better, instead of merely issuing a notice for the hike of up to 200 percent.

At present, owners of commercial property pay 12 percent of the annual rentable value, while owners of residential units and vacant property are charged six and 10 percent respectively.

DBKL had announced an increase in the valuation of properties, bumping up assessment rate in the process.

Parliamentarians are now mobilising their constituents to submit appeals by Dec 17, following a meeting with the minister last week.

Tengku Adnan urged ratepayers to not ignore the DBKL notice and submit their appeals within the deadline.