Sabah water tariff to stay for now
Published on: Saturday, April 13, 2019
By: Larry Ralon
Kota Kinabalu: The current water tariff in Sabah will not be revised, said Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony (pic).“It will remain for now, particularly during the current unfavourable economic condition,” he told reporters at the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the State Water Department and Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM) Sabah at his Ministry, here, Friday.
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He was asked on Wednesday’s announcement by Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr A Xavier Jayakumar that six states have agreed to raise their water tariffs but did not disclose the states.
Following the announcement, Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Perak, Kedah and Penang have stated that they are not in the list.
Meanwhile, Anthony said he had instructed State Water Department Director Amarjit Singh to negotiate with schools that owed a large amount in water bills, especially those that had their water supply cut, for solutions such as by paying the arrears in stages.
“Before this many schools were complaining about their water supply being cut…but if the department did not cut their supply, it would mean that its Director and staff were not doing their job.
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“This will in turn damage the image and reputation of the Ministry. I understand this problem exists, but even if they can’t pay it in full they can negotiate with the department so that the payment can be made in stages,” he said.
He was asked on the water supply to the Education Institute quarters, under the State Education Department, at Kampung Sukang in Bukit Padang here which was cut by the department for outstanding water bills amounting to RM700,000, affecting some 200 families.
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Another was a school in Sandakan whose water supply was cut for unpaid bills amounting to RM20,000. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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