MCA has called for Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to personally intervene to address the issue of the alarming ascent in the water tariffs in Penang.

Its vice president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said several ruling party state assemblymen had already expressed discontent and had held press conferences to denounce the exorbitant jump in water tariffs, indicating that the state government is “beyond redemption”.

“At this stage, Chow should explain to Penangites and immediately resolve the issue as to why the water tariff flight is so alarming instead of repeatedly shifting the blame to the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) and only calling on its CEO to explain whenever issues arise,” Tan said in a statement on Wednesday (May 23).

“People fear the triple highs, namely high cost of living, high taxes, high crime rates. However, after Pakatan Harapan (PH) came into power, prices have soared in all aspects. It completely disregards the livelihoods of the people.”

Recall that in April, Chow was reported as saying that the PBAPP has received over 300 complaints over the increase in water tariff rate since the new rates were reflected in the March bill.

Chow, who is also the PBAPP chairman, had said they will continue to explain the hike and calculations of the new rates to consumers, and reiterated that PBAPP’s explanations that the new water tariff rates were approved by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN).

On the increase in water tariffs, MCA’s Tan contended that at a time when people are burdened with heavy household expenses, the PBAPP should not burden the people with higher utility bills, including water.

“Criticism is warranted against the Penang state government for always shifting the responsibility for raising water tariffs to SPAN and blaming the federal government for raising water tariffs, but who benefits from the surplus after the water tariff leap?” he questioned.

“This unreasonable increase in water tariffs should be deeply reflected upon by the Penang state government.”

Chow had previously mentioned that Penang’s water tariff rates for the first band, at 62 sen for up to 20 cubic metres, remained the second lowest in the country, adding that Penang is not the only state approved to increase the rates.

He said the rates for Penang’s domestic users have not been reviewed for almost 30 years, making it the state with the lowest rate in the country all these years.

He also said the rate hike is necessary for PBAPP to implement various infrastructure projects under its water contingency plans to improve the state’s water resilience. - May 23, 2024

https://focusmalaysia.my/mca-penang-cm-must-intervene-on-unreasonable-water-tariff-spike/