KUALA LUMPUR – If you use the toilet, you flush and pay your bills – a simple rule understood by Malaysians but, surprisingly, not observed by government agencies.
According to Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (Kubang Kerian-PAS), the federal government, states, and local authorities owe Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) a cumulative debt of RM33.23 million.
Of this, he said RM7.29 million are owed by federal government agencies, with states having arrears of RM6.78 million, local governments (RM13 million) and other agencies (RM5.91 million).
This makes up 4.37% of the overall accumulated bill arrears involving IWK, the national wastewater and sanitation company, up to December last year.
This will surely raise a stink among law-abiding citizens who consistently meet their bill payment deadlines.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Tuan Ibrahim said IWK is owed RM760.19 million in total by all consumers as of last year, with domestic users the largest contributor of arrears amounting to RM463.77 million.
This is followed by commercial users (RM255.51 million), government agencies, and industry (RM7.76 million).
Tuan Ibrahim was responding to Chan Ming Kai (Alor Star-PH) who wanted to know which government premises still have arrears in IWK bills.
In a supplementary question, Nga Kor Ming (Teluk Intan-PH) asked the minister for the reason behind the huge amount of arrears involving government agencies, and the measures being implemented to address the issue.
To this, Tuan Ibrahim said the majority owed are arrears pre-2020.
He added that this is because the certain agencies were not previously allocated specific funds for IWK bill payment.
To ensure the arrears are cleared, Tuan Ibrahim said the ministry, among others, is issuing reminders to the respective ministries, agencies, states and local councils.
“We are also conducting negotiations with all ministry accountants to ensure the bills are paid.
“Finally, we conduct frequent meetings and discussions with the respective departments to encourage them to register their sewerage system account for bulk payment.” – The Vibes, October 28, 2021
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