Rapid population growth led to cuts in water subsidy, says Selangor MB

The drastic population increase in Selangor is the main reason why the state government had to reduce the subsidies for its free water scheme, said Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.

He said that when the scheme was initiated in 2008, Selangor had a population of 4.6 million but it has since grown to 6.4 million.

"The cost (of the scheme) is increasing every year and will continue to increase," Amirudin told reporters at the sidelines of the Selangor legislative assembly sitting.

"We will reevaluate our budget according to our circumstances."

From next year onwards, Selangor will only provide 25 cubic metres of free water for households that belong in the B40 category and are registered under the federal government's e-Kasih programme.

However, critics such as Abdul Razak Ismail pointed out that this move would effectively disqualify a large number of people from the scheme.

Abdul Razak, the spokesperson for activist group Otai Reformasi, said the federal government threshold for the B40 category was households with an income of RM3,855 and below, but the e-Kasih programme is for urban dwellers earning less than RM1,500, or rural folk earning less than RM1,000.

He said that removing water subsidies would also be seen as an unfriendly gesture towards voters who backed Pakatan Harapan during the May 9 elections.

"(These are voters) who gave them more than two-thirds of the votes and a huge majority in the state assembly," he said in a statement today.

Elaborating, Amirudin, who is also the Sungai Tua assemblyperson, said the state government is currently focusing on efforts to development the state. 

The state government could have taken a populist approach in giving out free water, but instead, it has to ensure the state's finances are stable and consistent to last a long term, he stressed. 

"That is why we are rearranging priorities and focusing on development, so that issues like flood, potholes, and the construction of new commercial zones can be prioritized, both for the sake of the people, and generating income for the government.

"I'm sure there will be those who are doubtful, but we also look at the views of those who think that we cannot have any scheme, across the board. 

"Instead, we focus on those who are really in need, according to their qualifications and specifications." - Mkini