SELANGOR cannot adjust water tariffs without approval from the National Water Services Commission (Span).

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said this in response to the state's plan to provide 20 cubic metres of free water to Selangor residents.

"Concessionaires have to inform Span if they want to implement any changes to the water tariffs.

"In Selangor's case, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) will have to propose the matter to Span for consideration," he said during the debate on the royal address.

Shaziman said although Selangor's plan was a policy matter, the state government should study the mechanism to ensure that the concession agreements were not breached.


Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim (PKR-Bandar Tun Razak) maintained that the agreements were too lopsided and favoured the concessionaire, but added that he would meet Shaziman to resolve the issue.