'Water tariff hike was okayed by Najib's cabinet'

Jaseni Maidinsa (above), the CEO of Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), has chided BN leaders who criticised the state's plan to raise water tariffs.

Jaseni said the water tariff mechanisms were planned during the previous government's rule under BN.

"So when they are the government, they say something else? If there are any previous government leaders attacking this mechanism, you should shoot them," Jaseni told a press conference in Bayan Baru, Penang today.

Accompanying Jaseni was chief minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Jaseni said he has highlighted the water tariffs hike plan to Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jeyakumar who okayed the proposal.

" What is good is good, do not say what is good is bad just because it is a new government," Jaseni said. "This is economics, facts. So if any former government leaders attack it, better ask them. It was formulated during their time," he added.

Jaseni also shot back at former prime minister Najib Razak for his remarks that, "Everything's gone up since Pakatan (Harapan) won".

Najib had responded to Xavier's announcement that water tariffs may be increased in stages this year.

"It was your cabinet which decided to do so, so what are you saying now?" Jaseni asked Najib whose government lost at the May 9 national polls.

Jaseni's comments come two days after Chow justified Penang's plan to increase water rates by 10 to 20 percent.

State opposition leaders from MCA have chastised Chow asking him "where is your conscience" as they say the hike in water prices will affect the people's daily cost of living.

Chow had explained that the move was to ensure that PBAPP could implement RM501 million worth of water projects to avoid water rationing during the dry seasons.

Chow, who chairs PBAPP, also pointed out that the average water demand for Penang was 826 million litres a day (MLD) in 2017.

By 2050, Penang is expected to have a water demand of 1,884 MLD, 128 percent higher than the 2017 figure.

He reminded Penangites that the state currently has the lowest average water bill at RM5.55 a month despite having the highest usage of water in the country at 277 litres/capita/day (l/c/d) in 2017.

This compared to the national average of 201 l/c/d for the same year. - Mkini