KUCHING: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) has called upon the Sarawak government not to increase the quit rent which will take effect in January 2023.
Its secretariat said the imposition of new quit rent will definitely be an added burden to the people.
“PSB would like to call on the state government to reconsider the decision or to call it off until such time when there are definite signs of improvements in our economy.
“Even if the government wanted to go ahead with the new rates, it is definitely not now when people as a whole are still struggling to recover from the economy which was so badly disrupted by COVID-19 pandemic.
“And now the people are faced with the twin problems of high inflation rates and the weakening ringgit. Business sectors are still struggling for survival,” it said in a statement yesterday (Dec 30).
PSB also said in presenting the 2023 State Budget, the Premier said that the total revenue for 2023 would be RM11.035 billion, and it was also projected that the state would generate a surplus budget of BM238 million for 2023, hence, there was little or no reason or justification for the state to impose any new quit rent.
“The only reason given by the government is that the old rate has not been revised since 1994,” it said.
Also in the State 2023 Budget presented by the Premier, it said, the revenue derived from Interest Income has dropped significantly.
“The revenue derived from Interest Income comes from the deposits of our state reserve with some of the commercial banks with interest payable to the state.
“Revenue from Interest Income in 2016 was RM1.183 billion. But Interest Income for 2023 is projected to be only RM650 million.
“Therefore, we would like to request the state government to give an explanation as to why there is a dramatic drop in our state revenue under the item of Interest Income,” it said.
It added that even if the state government wished to replenish its revenue income, a few million from the imposition of new quit rent would not help much.
“PSB would therefore like to call on the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government to consider ‘People First’ before it embarks on any new measures, which may affect the lives and livelihoods of the people,” it said.
