Johoreans pay high water tariff despite selling raw water to Singapore

Pakatan Rakyat today claimed that Johoreans are paying more for their domestic water tariff compared to other states, despite profiting from selling raw water to Malacca and Singapore.

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching said Johoreans are being charged for domestic water tariff at RM1.05 for the first 35 cubic metres of water which is far above the national average of RM0.66.

“This means, the domestic consumers in Johor have to pay an extra 159 per cent more for consuming water.

“Johoreans are also paying higher water tariff than the Malaysians in Malacca.

“Currently, the Johor government is selling raw water to Malacca and Singapore at RM0.30 per 1000 gallons and RM0.03 gallons per 1000 gallons respectively, from which Johor receives a monthly payment of RM230,000 from Malacca and RM200,000 from the Public Utilities Board (PUB), Singapore,” she said at a press conference in the Parliament lobby today.

Teo said at the same time, Johor also has the highest industrial water tariff in Malaysia.

“The first 80 cubic meters usage of water is being charged at RM2.80 which is an extra 210 per cent compared to the national average of RM1.33,” she said.

Teo said the charge for raw water supply to Singapore has not seen an increase for the past 52 years.

“As such, the Johor government has recently proposed to the federal government to review the selling price in order to gain more profit.

“However, the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili turned down the proposal immediately.

“The minister and the Johor government owe an explaination for this as they should explain what step would be taken to lower the water tariff in Johor,” she added.