Water Department is told to explain: Highest rate charged on Tawau consumers
Published on: Saturday, April 22, 2023
By: Lagatah Toyos
TAWAU: Sri Tanjong Assemblyman Justin Wong (pic) wants the Sabah Water Department (SWD) to provide an explanation on water bills charged to some residents here that were not in accordance with the set payment rates.He said Sabahans can check their water bills and if the water consumption does not exceed 60 square metres, then the calculated rate should not be RM1.80 per square metre. Justin said according to the Sabah Water Department’s standard, the higher the water consumption, the higher the charge rate.ADVERTISEMENT
He said users should be charged RM0.30 for the first 10 square metres, RM0.60 for 11 to 20 square metres, RM1.10 for 21 to 35 square metres, RM1.30 for 36 to 60 square metres and RM1.80 for over 60 square metres.
However, Justin said he received complaints from the public that SWD staff who checked their water metres set the highest rate of RM1.80 arbitrarily, without checking the rate that was suitable for their water consumption.
“I myself visited the Water Department in Tawau to report this matter, and asked them to provide an explanation on the matter.
“The Water Department staff should be responsible in ensuring that the correct rate is charged to users,” he stressed.ADVERTISEMENT
Therefore, he called on SWD to investigate the matter because he believes that the issue is not only happening in Tawau but in other districts in Sabah.
“I hope SWD will take severe action against staff who are found to be negligent in charging residents’ water bill rates in order to serve as a lesson to other staff.ADVERTISEMENT
“I also hope that the SWD Director will come forward to make an explanation,” he said.
Justin stressed that the Water Department should be more sensitive to the people who are burdened by higher costs of living and not add to the load by charging exorbitant water bills.
“If SWD does not take action to solve this problem or provide an explanation in the near future, I will not hesitate to take legal action against the department,” he added.
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