PENANG FACES WATER HIKE

GEORGE TOWN: Penang is “water-stressed” and supply from its main source, the Ulu Muda catchment area in Kedah, is being threatened by illegal logging.

 

The state’s water tariff, reputedly the cheapest in the world, is likely to be raised after the next general election.

Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) general manager Jaseni Maidinsa said manufacturers flocked to the state because water is sold below cost, but millions are being spent on subsidising domestic users.

“A total of RM58.9mil was spent on subsidising domestic consumers last year. We want people to pay for the actual value of water but obviously a review can only be done after the election as there are political considerations,” he said at a public seminar on the importance of the Ulu Muda forest for water security in northern peninsular Malaysia at the Penang Skills Development Corporation (PSDC) in Bayan Baru. -TheStar

KD: Apakah nasib rakyat Pulau Pinang selepas ini? Isu tanah belum selesai, isu tarif air mula muncul. Mungkin selepas ini, makin banyak isu akan muncul, yang bukan sahaja mencabar dan menduga keupayaan kerajaan negeri, tetapi pastinya rakyat negeri ini akan menerima kesannya.