(Front row, from second left) council secretary Ang Aing Thye and Patahiyah posing with the winners of the lucky draw at Komtar, Penang.

FROM early next month, property owners who fail to pay their assessment arrears within a stipulated time will have their movable assets seized by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).

Councillor Joseph Ng Soon Siang said the council had the right to carry out such action as provided under Section 148 of the Local Government Act 1976.

He said as of April 30, the estima-ted total of arrears had reached about RM55.6mil, adding that 54,674 owners had not paid assessment for their properties.

“We will seize the movable assets from their premises based on the amount they owe us.

“The seizure will take place for a maximum of three months until they have settled the full amount of arrears.

“If they fail to pay within the three-month period, their belongings will be auctioned off,” he told a press conference in Komtar on Friday.

Ng was speaking to reporters after the presentation of lucky draw prizes to assessment bill payers.

Earlier, MBPP mayor Datuk Patahiyah Ismail gave away the prizes to the winners.

In her speech, Patahiyah said 21,404 ratepayers were eligible for the draw but only 200 winners were chosen during the draw held on April 26.

Among the prizes were bicycles, exercise equipment, electrical appliances and supermarket vouchers.

“The prizes are given as an appreciation to ratepayers who have been paying their assessments in full since 2014,” she said.