BY ZAIDY ABD TALIB
The issue raised by fishery operators in Pulau Ketam during the handover of memorandum by the Pulau Ketam Community Safety and Development Chairman, Chia Mong Chun to the Kapar MCA Chief, Datuk Song Kee Chai relating to the temporary occupation license (TOL) rates charged to them by the State Government, as reported in The Star Online on June 23, 2017 is an unfounded accusation.
The report stated that the Pulau Ketam fish culturists have been burdened with high TOL rate, RM2 per sq ft, where they would need to fork out between RM60,000 to RM100,00 a year.
For the record, the actual TOL rate agreed by the State Government is only RM0.40 per square metre per year, where the rate has been agreed and confirmed by the 15/2016 State Executive Council Meeting on April 27, 2016 as compared to the rate given by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) at RM4 per sq metre per year.
The TOL rate to fish farmers (SKL) is among the lowest set by the State Government compared to several other states.
For example, in Penang it is RM0.45 sq metre, Perak RM0.60 per sq metre and Johore RM0.50 per sq metre.
The size of farms in Pulau Ketam are a minimum of 500 sq meter and a maximum of 20,000 sq metre.
Based on 20,000 sq metre with a TOL rate of RM0.40 per sq metre, the total amount would be RM8,000 a year.
Meanwhile, if we consider the total charges set by the Selangor Fishery Department for one year, it is approximately RM9,070 and that do not include levy charges on foreign workers set by the Federal Government.
The existing charges set by the Selangor Fishery Department are as follows:-
- Sea Culture System (SKL) License for RM10.00 per year for a system covering 200 sq metre of water surface or less and a fee of RM5.00 a year for every additional 100 sq metre or a part thereof; and
- Sea Culture System Boat License at a maximum rate of RM70.00 per boat per year based on category (horse power)
On the State Government’s conscientiousness to help all groups of farmers, breeders and fishermen including the fish farmers in Pulau Ketam, I will hold a meeting with them soon.
This is to brief them and provide accurate information regarding the TOL rate
issue and at the same time to listen to their grievances myself.
It is hoped that the fish farmers can refer to the authorities to obtain clear and accurate information to avoid any misunderstanding.
* Zaidy Abdul Talib is Infrastructure, Public Amenities, Agricultural Modernisation and Agro-Based Industries Exco