Media statement by Lim Guan Eng in Komtar, George Town on Friday, 4^th March 2011: 

Penang state government regrets that Pos Malaysia intends to increase the commission charges for payment of water bills  

The Penang state government regrets that Pos Malaysia intends to increase the commission charges for payment of water bills from 70cents to 90 cents for every payment of water bill. However PBA will continue to use the services of Pos Malaysia to assist consumers in paying their water bills easier.

PBA spends RM700,000 annually in commission charges to Pos Malaysia. This amount is absorbed by PBA to lessen the burden to consumers. The increase by 20 cents from 70 cents to 90 cents will result in increased charges of RM 200,000 from RM 700,000 to RM 900,000 annually.

The Penang state government hopes that Pos Malaysia would not increase commission charges as part of their service to customers and also fulfill their corporate social responsibility as water is a necessity for everyone. As it is the 70 cents charged for every water bill is already high compared to the 50 cents service charge imposed by banks.

It is unreasonable for Pos Malaysia to seek to add on profits for what is essentially an essential service for all Malaysians. After all if Pos Malaysia seeks to even profit unreasonably from providing an essential service, then it should stop calling itself Pos Malaysia but change its name to Pos Mata Duitan.

However if Pos Malaysia refuses to listen to the appeals by PBA, then PBA has no choice but to bear the extra costs. I have directed PBA to continue to allow payment of water bills from the public at Pos Malaysia offices so that the public will not be inconvenienced and to make it easier for them to pay their bills.

*Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister