JOHOR BARU: The Johor state government will allocate the increased property tax revenue from 10 municipal councils toward upgrading housing infrastructure, including flood mitigation measures.
To ease the financial burden on residents, the state will offer a 30 per cent rebate on the tax hikes, which will take effect next year.
State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said that the rebate system mirrored the approach implemented last year, following similar tax adjustments in five councils.
The total projected increase in tax revenue across the 10 councils is RM36.91 million, with an average annual hike of 2.6 per cent over the past decade.
The average increase for property owners will remain under 18 per cent, aiming to balance fiscal needs with public affordability.
"The additional revenue will be directed toward improving infrastructure such as roads, streetlights, and drainage systems, particularly in flood-prone areas," he said.
Mohd Jafni acknowledged that there had been minimal public complaints about the tax adjustments, with only 1.25 per cent of affected property owners voicing dissatisfaction.
He said that the rebate programme was part of the state's ongoing effort to mitigate the impact of the adjustments, ensuring that the additional revenue directly benefits residents through essential infrastructure improvements.
The 10 municipal councils affected by the property tax adjustments include Batu Pahat, Muar, Segamat, Pontian, Kota Tinggi, Tangkak, Yong Peng, Simpang Renggam, Mersing, and Labis.