The new assessment rates proposed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall will proceed as planned in January.

Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said, property owners are however allowed to postpone payment until a final decision is reached between DBKL and property owners.

"We can defer payment but the rate will automatically increase from January 1. What we will postpone is the implementation because with the objection period ending on December 17, it will take about three months for DBKL to hear all of them.

"We will start the hearing in December. The new rates will apply in January, we have to follow the act (Housing and Local Government Act).

“For 21 years, we did not raise anything,” said Tengku Adnan.

Yesterday, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk J. Loga Balan Mohan told the Dewan Rakyat the new assessment rates proposed by DBKL have been deferred till March next year.

This was to enable DBKL to hold public hearings on appeals submitted by property owners from January to March next year, he said when winding up debate on the Supply Bill 2014 at the committee stage.