FMM branch slams higher quit rent in Pahang, claims increased by up to 34 times

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 17): The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Eastern Branch is protesting the higher quit rent for industrial and business landowners in Pahang that took effect on Jan 1, which it said has increased by up to 34 times.

FMM Eastern Branch chairman Ir Kua Jit How has asked the Pahang state government to reconsider the hefty increase and engage stakeholders involved to discuss about the matter.

"The drastic increase of the quit rent has caused concerns to the manufacturers in Pahang. The manufacturers have expressed concerns that the increase was done without proper consultation with the stakeholders," he said in a statement today.

Kua highlighted that the increase of quit rent in Pahang has been in the range of 28.75% to 3,288.18%, as lamented by its member manufacturers.

"The increase without proper consultation with the manufacturers will have negative impact towards investors.

"FMM Eastern would also like to reinforce that the increase of the quit rent should be done in a transparent manner with the aim to ensure fair and competitive market practices to the benefit of manufacturers, investors and the state," he added.

On Jan 12, Bernama quoted Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail as saying that the state government was ready to consider appeals from industry players who think the new quit rent rates are too high.

He said owners of plantations, industrial lands and businesses could submit appeals to the Pahang Land and Mines Office along with supporting documents and the appeals would be brought to a soon-to-be established appeal committee.

Wan Rosdy also noted that even after raising the quit rent, Pahang's rates were still among the lowest in Malaysia, and the last time the state reviewed it was in 2007.

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