GEORGE TOWN: MCA has failed to think about the good of Penang and its people’s future when they objected the proposed water tariff review in the state, Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) Chief Executive Officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said.
He said the party had failed to realise the changes that had taken place in the state since 2008 which raised the need for the tariff to be reviewed.
“Penang’s average daily water demand has increased by 11.02 percent from 744 million litres per day (MLD) in 2008 to 826 MLD in 2017. At the same period, Penang’s population increased by 13.55 percent, from 1.55 million people to 1.76 million people,” he said in a statement.
According to him, Penang could not progress without sufficient water supply for the future due to several contributing factors such as Penang’s “No Water Rationing” policy, the current trend of high-water consumption and the rise of population in the state.
His statement came in reference to a letter from the state MCA to the Penang Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yeow recently appealing to him for the cancellation of the proposed water tariff review on the grounds that it would be “for the good of the people.”
Jaseni said that PBAPP is planning to invest RM501 million in water supply projects in the period 2019 – 2021, in line with the “Penang 2030” aspiration to allow Penangites to enjoy continuous good water supply with no water rationing towards 2030 and beyond.
He said PBAPP would have to raise sufficient funds to enable the projects to take off and a review of the current water tariff was necessary.
He said the increased revenue from the tariff review was never intended just for the PBAPP’s coffers but would be reinvested in line with the aspiration of the Penang people.
“The proposed water tariff review is not aimed at putting more money into PBAPP’s pockets. It is to protect the future of Penang and its people,” he said.