Penang UMNO Youth says no to water tariff hike

The Penang Umno Youth movement is urging the state government to call off its study to increase water tariffs as the move would only burden consumers further, especially those with lower and middle incomes.

The movement's head Rafizal Abd Rahim said it was bad enough that the water conservation surcharge was doubled in September last year without the prospect of a hike in tariff as well.

He claimed that the state government was clearly acting against the DAP manifesto of not increasing tariffs if given the mandate in the 13th General Election last year.

"(Chief Minister) Lim Guan Eng promised not to increase water tariffs. This is another empty promise. We urge that the study to increase the tariff is called off and even if continued, the increase is not implemented," he told a press conference here Thursday night.

On Wednesday, the Chief Minister said the state government had approved the request of the Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) to conduct a study on increasing water tariffs as the last resort to reduce consumption in the state, which was the highest in the country.

Lim said Penang's rates will still be the lowest nationwide even after an increase.

He added that steps to raise awareness and water conservation surcharges had failed to prevent wastage by consumers.