Steep hike in Beaufort trading licence fee questioned

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah has questioned whether the drastic hike in the trading licence fee by the Beaufort District Council (BDC) from RM30 per year to RM1,200 is in compliance with the Sabah Trades Licensing Ordinance 1948 and was duly endorsed by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.

PKR Sabah chairman Christina Liew said she was puzzled as to how the BDC could impose such a steep hike for its trading licence fee, when under the said Ordinance, the trading licence fee imposed by the various district councils throughout the state should be a standard rate of RM25 only.

“We urge the minister concerned to immediately come forward to give a good explanation on this pressing issue which, if left unchecked, could bring about adverse impact on the people of Beaufort. The minister concerned must act fast and resolutely,” she said when commenting on the news report on the complaints by business operators in Beaufort over the steep hike in the trading licence fee, as highlighted by Sabah DAP deputy secretary Tan Lee Fatt on Sunday.

Liew who is also the ApiApi assemblywoman, said the local authority should always be considerate of the plight and common welfare of the people, especially amidst the current economic downturn, before they proceed to introduce any changes to their existing by-laws.

“Where has the ‘1Malaysia: People First, Performance Now' slogan gone to? Is the Beaufort District Council providing services that are so extraordinary as compared to the other local authorities in Sabah that warrant such a drastic increase in their trading license fee?” she inquired.