THE Johor government has reportedly reduced service charges and rent payable to local authorities by 10 per cent to lighten the burden of property owners during the current economic slowdown.

Furthermore, quit rent on abandoned or unused shopping complexes has been reduced.

For example, a mall worth RM400 million has now been revalued to RM79.99 million and the quit rent reduced to RM208,000, and another mall which has also been revalued has had its quit rent decreased to RM243,000 from RM607,000.

Discounts have also been offered on compound fines.

Parking fines issued between April 1 and Dec 31 and settled this year will be reduced by 50 per cent; traffic obstruction and littering fines will be reduced by 88 per cent and 80 per cent respectively.

Rent discounts of 50 per cent to 60 per cent have been approved for stall operators in city council-owned food courts.

Current quit rent defaulters will have penalty payments waived if they pay up within 40 days.

The above discounts and waivers reflect the concern of the government for its citizens and should be appreciated.

However, it also sends the wrong message to the public that defaulters will be rewarded with discounts whereas the honest, law-abiding citizens who pay on time, pay the full amount.

G.S. , Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – July 9, 2009