MBKS urged to ensure assessment bills delivered on time

KUCHING: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong has called on Kuching South City Council ( MBKS) to check with its dispatch company to ensure that all assessment bills are delivered to house owners.

Speaking during a press conference, here yesterday, Yong said she received a phone call from a Lorong 25 BDC Resettlement Scheme resident, who complained that he had not received his assessment bill despite the due date on May 31.

“I was told this person who complained to me, also asked the neighbouring ‘lorongs’ and most of them said they have not received it either.

“Therefore, I would like to ask council to look into this.

“If they have overlooked in sending out the assessment bills, I would like to ask them to send it out as soon as possible so that the houseowners can prepare the money to pay the assessment bill on time,” she said.

Yong said it was only fair that MBKS carries out its duty in sending out the assessment bills if it wanted the public to pay on time, adding that under the bylaws, those who failed to pay assessment bills on time would be subjected to a penalty which is calculated on a monthly rate.

“Of course, the council can say people can go to the counter to check the bill, but that will be a very irresponsible reply if that comes from the council.”

On another matter, Yong, who is state DAP organising secretary, called on the state Customs Department to assist the forwarding service companies to relay to the Finance Ministry on their problem in getting 51 per cent Bumiputera supporting staff in their companies.

“Under the new rule that came into effect this year, companies shall have Bumiputera participation of not less than 51 per cent in the form of shareholdings, directorship, management staff and supporting staff.

“Their reason for coming out with the rule is to encourage genuine cooperation between Bumi and non-Bumi in the field of forwarding agency business.”

Yong said the forwarding service companies were facing big problems as they could not engage 51 per cent Bumiputera supporting staff because most of them were small scale forwarding companies and they were run by the partners themselves.

She said she was told that the state Customs Department, in a letter to the forwarding companies association, said it could not do much in assisting the companies and if they found the rule restrictive, the companies should appeal directly to Finance Ministry that issued the order.

“This is a very big issue faced by the forwarding companies as their applications were turned down because of this stupid, racist and ridiculous rule.

“In Sarawak, we don’t welcome this and I think in Malaysia, the BN should not come out with racist policy,” Yong said.

Yong said she had sought Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen’s assistance to bring up the matter during the next Parliament session.