Action sought against company owners who owe quit rent
12/09/2006 The Star

MALACCA: The Auditor-General wants action to be taken against company owners who have been the main culprits in not paying quit rent totalling RM32.59mil.

He said in his 2005 report the state government had recorded higher arrears (RM60.36mil) in all revenue sources in 2005, an increase of RM12.38mil from the RM47.98mil arrears in 2004.

Arrears over the years and fines for delayed payment of quit rent contributed to the sum of RM12.38mil, the A-G said.

He said the state land office had separated the accounts of land which the state government had taken over after writing off the owners’ arrears.

The A-G added that efforts

by the state government to encourage payment by setting up counters at shopping complexes, accepting payment via credit card and approving payment of arrears exceeding RM1,000 by instalments had helped to reduce the arrears in quit rent.

As for assessment rates, three local authorities - Malacca city council, Alor Gajah municipal council and Jasin district council recorded an increase in arrears, said the A-G.

The arrears in assessment had increased by RM2.66mil from RM34.53mil in 2003 to RM37.19mil in 2004.

The arrears was RM29.34mil for Malacca City Council in 2004, RM5.6mil for Alor Gajah Municipal Council in 2003 and RM2.25mil for the Jasin distirct council in 2003.

The increase of arrears was due to an increase in the number of premises and housing areas.