SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan state government will not increase water tariff in the state despite expectation that it would go up nationwide this year.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the decision was made during a meeting with a special committee which was set up last month to discuss on the matter.
“We have decided not to increase the water tariff in the state for at least two years from now. This will include domestic and industrial use,” he said.
He added that although the proposal for the increase was important to assist the government’s efforts in restructuring the water supply services industry in the country, the state government would maintain the current tariff for the benefit of the people in the state.
“Although the National Water Service Commission (SPAN) advises us to increase the tariff, but we need to help the people here first. The current tariff will be maintained for two years and we will ensure that there will be no increase in the future,” he said during a press conference after chairing the state weekly exco meeting held at Wisma Negeri here, today.
Last month, Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources Dr Xavier Jayakumar had reportedly said that the water tariff rates might be increased in stages this year as it was necessary to protect the consumer’s interest in getting good water quality and ensuring the industry’s services.
He said the ministry was working with SPAN and would discuss with the state governments to get the agreement of all parties before the increase is implemented.
Early last month, the state government had set up a special committee to study the impact of the increase in water tariff rates as proposed by the ministry.
Aminuddin had said that there had been no increase in water tariffs for domestic use for the past 18 years, but Syarikat Air Negri Sembilan Sdn Bhd (SAINS) had been able to provide the best services to the consumers in the state.
He had also reportedly said that SPAN had proposed that the water tariff rate in the state to be increased to RM12.40 for 20 cubic meters compared to RM11 for the same amount.