Sanusi said insults and negative comments on social media by those living outside the council’s jurisdiction were not “legally binding”.

“Insults and efforts to create negative perceptions on social media cannot be considered in MBAS’s deliberations,” he told FMT.

Consumers Association of Kedah president Yusrizal Yusoff yesterday urged MBAS to defer the hike, saying it was too steep.

He said many house owners had received new assessment bills double the previous amount.

Yusrizal said the increase had come at a time when people were struggling with higher cost of living.

He said the deadline for filing objections should be extended beyond Nov 5 as some residents were still unaware of the new rates.

Alor Setar mayor Abdul Gafar Yahya said 95,710 house owners and stakeholders had been notified by post of the new rates, which take effect on Jan 1, 2026.

He said the increase in the rates was aimed at aligning them with the current value of their properties as they were last revised more than 30 years ago, in 1993.

MBAS said the new rates were based on 2024 market prices, with homes charged 0.11%, low-cost units 0.09% and commercial buildings 0.3%. A single-storey house with a market value of RM350,000 would pay about RM385 a year.

All properties in Alor Setar are affected, except places of worship, schools, and charities.

MBAS said the taxes collected would be used for basic services like rubbish collection, and maintenance of drains and street lights.