Kuala Lampur, Sept. 13 -- Penang's two local councils will be increasing the assessment rates on all properties within the state in 2020.

State local government, housing development and town and country planning committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the hike was due to higher spending costs.

"It has been 15 years since we reviewed the assessment rates and we are reviewing it now in accordance with the provisions of the law," he told a press conference here today.

He said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) have been recording an annual deficit budget since 2016.

Jagdeep refused to divulge the percentage of increase in the rates, saying instead that the hike will depend on the property ...