After 15% water
bill hike, does
the Government
still compensate
Syabas RM125
million?
Media
Statement
by Dr Tan
Seng Giaw
( Kepong,
Tuesday):
DAP National
Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw urges the
Government to reveal whether after the 15% increase in water bill,
the Government still has to pay the privatized water company, Syabas,
RM125 million. It should also make public the complicated deal
between the Government and Syabas.
Dr Tan questions the Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk
Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik on the 15% increase in water bill in Selangor
and Kuala Lumpur tomorrow. Dr Lim has inherited the complex problem
of water privatization , not only in Selangor, but also in other
states. Hence, it is necessary for him to reveal the saga of woes,
arising from the management of water.
Tomorrow, 42% of households that use less than 20 cubic metres of
water daily are not affected by the price hike; 28% of households
using between 20 and 30 cubic metres pay 5 to 6% extra and those
using more than 30 cubic metres per day face 15% increase. Every
person must conserve water. As the present economic situation is not
good, 15% increase in water bill is too high. Some suggest that the
increase should not be more than 8%.
How does the complexity of the water issue arise? According to Dr
Lim, if the price increase starts from November this year, the
Government has to pay Syabas RM125 million compensation. If it
begins in January, next year, the compensation is RM152 million.
Now, the hike begins tomorrow, does it mean that the tax-payers
still pay RM125 million to Syabas? The public are perplexed.
(31/10/2006)
*Dr
Tan Seng Giaw,
DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong
|