PUTRAJAYA – The government has agreed to maintain the water tariff for the domestic category (residential premises) in the peninsula and Labuan, in view of the increase in the cost of living currently faced by the people, according to the Environment and Water Ministry.
The cabinet meeting on June 22 also agreed to the implementation of the adjustment of water supply tariffs for non-domestic categories and special categories in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, effective August 1, involving an average increase of 25 cents per cubic metre.
It follows the cabinet meeting’s agreement to the use of a tariff setting mechanism in reorganising the management of the country’s water supply.
“This increase is actually still low and cannot cover the actual cost of providing water supply services of RM1.68 per cubic metre,” said the ministry in a statement today.
It also said that there are some states where tariff rates have never been revised for a very long period, such as Pahang for 39 years and Perlis for 26 years.
The tariff setting mechanism, developed by the National Water Services Commission in 2016, is a systematic, fair, and transparent mechanism to guide the national water service industry to achieve long-term sustainability.
“The development, planning, and implementation of the mechanism are conducted in an inclusive manner with the full involvement of all stakeholders,” it said.
It added that, in line with the government’s concern for the economic situation of the people, state water supply operators are advised to continue with existing initiatives, which are to provide assistance to domestic users in a targeted manner, such as giving rebates to the B40 group. – Bernama, July 26, 2022
