States can set own water tariffs, says Penang CM

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow says the state has only raised water rates once under the DAP-led government. (Bernama pic)

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the proposed water tariff hike across the country by the federal government is to “standardise the mechanism” for pricing of water by bands or categories.

He said while the mechanism was set by the federal authorities, the states were free to set the prices on their own but subject to approval by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN).

“By standardising the pricing mechanism, there won’t be too many bands or levels.

“Every state will follow the same mechanism but the rate will be determined by the state,” Chow said on the sidelines of an event at the Penang International Airport here today.

As for former prime minister Najib Razak’s claim that Penang had raised water tariffs four times within “a period of 10 years that DAP ruled the state”, Chow said it had only raised the price of water once.

“Let me correct him. It was raised only one time. However, I feel very flattered that he (Najib) notices what we do. So, I would like to thank him for his concern,” he said.

Najib had said that during BN’s rule in Penang for 18 years, the water tariffs were never raised even once, compared with the Pakatan Harapan administration which raised it four times.

Najib was responding to a Sinar Harian report that Penang’s water tariffs might be raised by 20%.

Chow had actually said the increase could be between 10% and 20%, or “more than 20%” across selected or all bands. He added that no decision had been made on the percentage of increase.

Sabah not increasing water tariffs

In KOTA BELUD, Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal announced that the state will not increase water tariffs but will focus instead on ensuring more villages get treated water supply.

Bernama reported that he said the restructuring of the Sabah Water Department was one of several measures taken to achieve this aim.

“There is no point increasing the water tariffs if many villages still do not have treated water supply,” he told reporters after attending the Kadamaian state constituency’s Christmas open house and the new year celebration at Kampung Taginambur near here today.

He was responding to decisions made by several states to increase their water tariffs.

Shafie said the Sabah Water Department had been able to increase its revenue through good governance. -FMT