GEORGE TOWN, March 5 — Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the recent quit rent hike has been sensationalised by certain parties, stressing that fewer than one per cent of landowners have submitted appeals.
Out of 370,000 new bills issued, only 300 appeals were received. He added that a 50 per cent rebate was granted across all categories to ease the burden, with some landowners paying less than before after the rebate.
Chow explained that quit rent is calculated based on land location, size, usage and prevailing rates. Residential land is charged at 70 sen per square metre in urban areas and 50 sen in rural areas.
Previously, agricultural land was charged RM9.88 per hectare, but conversion to industrial use raises rates significantly — for example, five hectares could amount to RM162,500 annually.
He noted that rates were last reviewed in 1994 and urged landowners to file appeals if discrepancies in land classification arise, assuring that cases will be reassessed accordingly.
