Penang Chinese Chambers of Commerce (PCCC) president Hong Yeam Wah said while the hike is unavoidable, as the last increase was implemented back in 2005, the timing is bad.

“We are not against the hike but are merely concerned over how much the rates should go up and what would be the best time to do it.

“I hope the state government can do it gradually, not at one go. The business environment and the market are bad now, so I hope it can consider these factors before making a decision,” Hong said at a press conference at the PCCC office here today.

Also present were executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Yew Tung Seang.

For MBPP, the rates for 16 of the 17 categories of properties have actually gone down. But because the annual value of the properties has increased, many owners will end up paying more.

The state government had earlier announced that the assessment rates at MBPP and the Seberang Perai City Council would go up between 50% and 98% due to higher spending costs of both councils.

A total of 322,549 of the properties on the island and another 327,401 in Seberang Perai would be affected.