SANDAKAN – Due to the carelessness of a Sabah Water Department staffer, a senior resident in Seguntor, Mile 11 was charged an absurd RM22,528 in his water bill for November last year.
Preferring to only be known as Chin, the man who lives alone said he was shocked as he was usually charged between RM7 to RM30 per month.
Chin said he could not afford to pay the amount, and had gone to the Sandakan Water Department office to inquire and seek assistance from several people’s representatives here, but his problem remained unresolved.
He was at a dead end until he met Karamunting assemblyman George Hiew early this month, who instructed his officer Yap Hsiu Min to bring the problem to the Sandakan Water Department for an explanation and justice for Chin.
After discussions with Yap, the department investigated the matter and found that the problem was not caused by water theft, but a mistake by a staffer when conducting a meter reading at Chin’s residence.
According to Hiew in his statement today, the mistake should not have happened and the Water Department should have been cautious and careful when conducting meter readings at residents’ homes.
“Chin’s water usage was mistakenly recorded as 9,997 units when it was supposed to be 3,300 units. This was a mistake by the Water Department staff.
Chin’s problem was resolved after the Sandakan Water Department deducted the mistaken amount charged on his bill.
Hiew advised the public to check their water bills to avoid mistakes during meter readings, water theft, and pipe leakage.
“If you find that your water bill charges are out of the ordinary, immediately get an explanation from the Water Department so that they can investigate the matter,” he added. –The Vibes, April 28, 2023
