KUALA LUMPUR (July 9): The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) said it has received applications from service operators in 10 states to review their respective water supply tariffs.
As of June 30, applications had been received from water operators in Penang, Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor and Pahang, said SPAN in a statement on Wednesday.
The commission said all the applications are still under review and have not been finalised.
“SPAN will ensure that every aspect is taken into consideration before any decision is made, to prioritise the wellbeing of the 27.2 million consumers while also supporting the operators’ ability to continue providing the services,” it added.
The clarification comes a day after the Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) plans to delay the proposed water tariff hike in the state, which is currently being reviewed by the Cabinet.
“We do not want to implement it early next year. We hope to delay it to the middle of next year,” said Chow, who is also PBAPP's chairman. Chow said the move would cost the state RM40 million.
In early March, Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof confirmed that the federal government was reviewing water tariffs, with potential adjustments in certain states. This announcement comes after an increase in tariffs last year, which saw an average rise of 22 sen per cu m for domestic users in the peninsula and Labuan effective from Feb 1, 2024.
The new water tariffs were expected to raise water revenue collection by RM2.4 million for the Labuan Water Department and RM105 million for Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd annually.