NGOs say Penang water hike justified but mainlanders upset

 

A new water tariff for Penangites has been well received overall, with NGOs saying the hike is justified.

GEORGE TOWN: The water tariff hike for Penangites from Feb 1 has received overall approval from NGOs, which view it as necessary to discourage wastage, but communities on the mainland are upset due to the poor quality of service in their area.

Yesterday, Penang announced that domestic water tariffs would go up as it reels from a major repair that called for a four-day shutdown.

NGOs said the hike was justified, given that the average monthly water bill for home users in Penang is RM5.55.

Bayan Baru Residents’ Association chairman Dr Manjit Singh said with Penang winning awards for the best water quality standards, the adjusted prices were appropriate.

Desa Ria Residents’ Association’s KP Soong and Medalene Sim meanwhile said the price hike was warranted, but that the state must improve infrastructure in the southwest district as most of the pipes are at the end of their service life.

They said more reservoirs should be built in their Sungai Ara township to supply those on higher ground.

They added that more catchment areas should be tapped on hills, and old pipes in their area replaced quickly.

Meanwhile, Penang Consumer Protection Association’s K Koris Atan said with most people paying an average of about RM10 a month, water was still cheaper than takeout food.

“When people are paying RM30 to Grab to deliver breakfast to their doorsteps, what difference is a RM10 water bill going to make?” he asked.

However, residents in the southern areas of Seberang Perai were unhappy as their bill would jump from RM6.20 to RM10.85 a month.

Those who spoke to FMT said this was unfair as they do not receive good service.

“The justification for a hike in water tariff is beyond logical explanation,” Forum Seberang Perai pro-tem coordinator B Saravanan said.

“To date, the level of service in Seberang Perai South does not meet the Penang Water Supply Corporation’s (PBAPP) standards, let alone any international ones,” he claimed.

Saravanan was referring to the erratic supply in the Seberang Perai South towns of Sungai Bakap and Jawi as well as the larger Mukim 5 area, where he said periodic cuts had persisted since 2018.

State executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari said the problem was largely related to low water pressure, but that it had been sorted out thanks to major upgrades in the district.

He said the completion of the Bukit Panchor water plant last year had saved many parts of Seberang Perai South from cuts, and that the long-term solution was a water plant at Sg Kerian, which required further funding.

Calls for free water for groups in need

Consumers’ Association of Penang president Mohideen Kader said there must be a conscious effort to provide rebates for those in the lower middle-income group.

“Senior citizens living on their own and using very little water should not be charged. Their bills should be waived,” he told FMT.

He also said PBAPP should do more to reduce non-revenue water or leaks.

Chan Ngai Weng, a leader of water interest group Water Watch Penang, said the old 22 sen charge for the first 20 cubic metres should have been retained for the lower income groups.

Under the new tariff, the charge will increase to 55 sen.

The Penang government said it would give a RM10 rebate to B40 households of eight people or more with a combined income of RM2,250 or less.

Recipients of e-Kasih or federal welfare schemes earning a maximum of RM1,036 a month will also receive RM10 in rebates.

Penang’s average consumption is 305 litres per capita per day (lcd) compared to 240lcd nationally.- FMT