THE sole DAP backbencher in the 36-member Kedah state legislative assembly Teh Swee Leong (Kota Darulaman-Pakatan Harapan) slammed the PAS-led state government for an apparent failure to grow the state economy.
Debating the proposed state fiscal Budget 2026 of RM1.33 billion, Swee Leong did not mince his words, saying the economy is weak and the state deficit has rose by 11 percent to an all-time high of RM99 million.
Swee Leong, the state DAP secretary, said that there is no wow factor in the state.
His remarks came as several quarters in Kedah, were disheartened by the local authorities move to raise the annual assessment rate up to 100% for some establishments.
The state's forecasted growth of 4.2% for next year is poor in comparison to the greater Kedah vision of up to 10% growth in view of the growing foreign direct investments (FDI).
"Our economic policy is unconvincing to some."
Swee Leong said that the state is still dependent on federal aid to help manage it financially.
It was reported that the hike in assessment rate was made after 32-years of not revising the rate but for some quarters, it is seen as steep.
To this, Swee Leong said that the ratepayers understand the depleted coffers of the local authorities.
But, he pointed out the steep hike is one which is unsettling the ratepayers, especially those in the commercial and industrial sectors.
He claimed that some enterprises will not have any income, as most of their rental will go towards settling the assessments.
"The review does not reflect the reality and does not mirror the market conditions nor the income of the ratepayers."
He said that businesses in flood-prone areas were also slapped with higher rates.
Swee Leong said that the annual increment for workers in Kedah also averaged up to just seven percent, so majority of the working class continues to struggle against the tide of living costs.
It would be honourable for the state to revise the assessment rates to give more "breathing room," for the commercial enterprises to sustain their businesses, he said. - November 13, 2025.
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