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Govt buildings’ assessment rates for review

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Dr Sim (front centre) with (from left) Statos chief executive officer Chew Chang Guan; Federation of Chinese Associations president Datuk Richard Wee; Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; Koperasi Belia Inovatif Sarawak (Kobis) chairman Zaiwin Kassim; Kuching City South Council (MBKS) councillor Kho Teck Wan, and invited guests at the ‘Talking About What Really Matters’ Forum. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

KUCHING: The assessment rates of government buildings will be reviewed next year as approved by the State Cabinet, said Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.

“We have not increased or re-evaluated the assessment rate for government properties since the 1970s,” he said when speaking at the ‘Talking About What Really Matters’ Forum at the Chemsain Building here on Friday (December 13).

“By doing that, it will increase our revenue by another RM20 million for local councils,” he said.

He said that private properties would not be affected as they were benefiting the people.

Meanwhile, Dr Sim also said that Sarawak has a new direction of financial independence to focus on, adding that previously the state had relied on the federal government to provide funds.

Dr Sim (front centre) with (from left) Statos chief executive officer Chew Chang Guan; Federation of Chinese Associations president Datuk Richard Wee; Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; Koperasi Belia Inovatif Sarawak (Kobis) chairman Zaiwin Kassim; Kuching City South Council (MBKS) councillor Kho Teck Wan, and invited guests at the ‘Talking About What Really Matters’ Forum. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

“Sarawak is in a stage of growing up into an adult. We manage our own finances now, otherwise we will be forever dependent on them,” he said.

He said that being financially strong and having funds was important to support various state government initiatives such as its coast guard and trade offices in other countries including Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos).

“Trade offices are important in helping Sarawak go international,” he said.

Sim said that state government initiatives balanced social needs, education, and planning Sarawak’s investment for the future.

Meanwhile, he urged for Sarawakians to remain united.

“The federal government’s strategy is to split us up — they worry that we are united.”

He said that one of the biggest challenges faced by Sarawak was that it could be too complacent at times due to its relaxed nature.

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