Thanks for asking!

Before I answer these questions, let's get a few things straight so we are all on the same page.

To say the Cukai Pintu is increased is not entirely true. The Annual Value is increased and the Assessment Rate Percentage is decreased.

The formula for amount of Cukai Pintu or Assessment Rate paid is this: Cukai Pintu or Assesment Rate  = Annual Value or Nilai Tahunan X Assessment Rate Percentage.

One factor goes up and another one goes down. Some owners will pay less and some will pay more, depending on how much the increase of their Annual Value as compared to the decrease in Assessment Rate Percentage.

Now, on to your questions:

1. There are two components to your question. First is the last time there was an Annual Value revision was in 1992. All this while, all these properties were charged the Assessment Rate based on that old value. Since then, the value of these properties have increased. So when there is a revision, 21 years later on any property, of course the value goes up. The second component is the increasing cost to cover the increasing operating expenditure and development expenditure. Yes, cost has increased and even with more property units paying Assessment Rate, it is not enough to cover the shortfall.

2. More people staying in KL whether in high-rise property or landed ones means more strain on the upkeep and maintenance of facilities and amenities. For example, roads - City Hall spent a lot just to maintain roads. If more people use them, then the maintenance cost would also soar.

3. Yes, as outlined in the Annual Budget Speech by the Mayor, there are many plans with the funds to improve and upgrade existing facilities and amenities with the aim to make and maintain KL as a world class city.

Any other questions, please ask us or engage us on Twitter (@mykltalks), FB: fb.com/mykltalks and our website: mykl.com.my

Actually, your property is perhaps outside a 36-mile radius from the city center. This is why your previous Assessment rate percentage was 10 %.

The good news is - yes, for Commercial properties outside the 36-mile radius from the city center, the New Assessment rate Percentage is 8%.

The Proposed Annual Value under the revision is now up for appeal with DBKL. Have you submitted an objection by Dec 17 2013? DBKL received 153,000 objection letters by the deadline.

All notices to attend the public hearing should have been received by or before Jan 6 2014.

If you or anyone has not received a notice to attend the public hearing after submitting your objection before or on the deadline last year, please contact the DBKl JPPH:

Tingkat 4, Bangunan TH Perdana, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2617 1038
Email: jpph@dbkl.gov.my