Lim defends move to raise water tariffs

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on Thursday said the state government's move to increase water tariff is an effort to avoid water rationing in Penang.

He said the state government was compelled to increase water tariff which would force consumers to cut down on water consumption so that future generations would have a higher chance of avoiding water rationing.

"Let us not forget it is not only Selangor and Johor that are carrying out water rationing. Even the wettest town in Peninsular Malaysia, Taiping, has started water rationing today.

"The people of Penang have no choice but to reduce water consumption. If higher water tariff is necessary to reduce water consumption to avoid water rationing, then the state government will bite the bullet and raise the water tariff," he told a press conference, here.

Yesterday, Lim who is also Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chairman, said the state government had given permission to the PBAPP top carry out a study on increasing the water tariff as the last resort to reduce water consumption in Penang which recorded the highest consumption rate in Malaysia.

However, Lim said that even with the hike, Penang's water tariff would still the lowest compared to other states, which is RM0.31 for every 1,000 cubic litres for the first 35,000 litres.

Commenting on the proposed Seri Tanjung Pinang Phase II (STP2) land reclamation work in Tanjong Tokong, Lim declined to comment while waiting the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) Report.

"Let's wait for the DEIA report. I would not want to comment until it is approved by DOE (Department of Environment). Let's wait for DOE to come out with their conclusion whether they want to approve or not...let DOE handle it," he said.