Media Statement (2) by Lau Weng San in Petaling Jaya on Monday, 31^st March 2008: 

Selangor State Government should also target to reduce NRW to below 20 percent in five years 

Selangor State Government has announced that the first 20 m³ water will be provided free of charge to household users since 1st June 2008.

The decision will certainly reduce the economic burdens of the people; especially those belong to the middle lower income group. Though, Selangor State Government should not neglect the long term goal of providing high quality water to the people and reducing the percentage of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) in Selangor without increasing the economic burdens of the people.

In fact, Syabas managed to reduce NRW from 42 percent in 2005 to 37 percent in 2006. Syabas profit also increased from RM 900 million in 2005 to RM 1.1 billion in 2006. We believe that the biggest contribution that Syabas can provide to its users is to further reduce NRW to below 20 percent in five years.

Former Selangor Exco in charge of Public Facilities and Infrastructure Abdul Fatah had on 30^th October 2006 increased water tariff and during that increase, it was also announced that 42 percent of household users who consumed less than 20 m³ a month will not be affected. Today, the percentage has increased to 45 percent and it seems that the strategy has always been targeted on household users who consumed less than 20 m³ a month.

We need to understand that such measure is only a short term measure. Syabas should be reminded that their long term goal is to provide sustainable water supply to all users in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. One major project under Syabas to be deliberated is the Pahang-Selangor water supply project which was iniated by the previous Selangor State Government. The current Selangor State Government has a huge responsibility to ensure that the project will not pose serious negative impact on the people of Selangor.

The same reminder should also go to household users in Selangor that they should not take things for granted even when the first 20 m³ water will be provided free of charge as this should be seen as a push factor for them to preserve water usage to below 20 m³ every month so that they can enjoy free water supply.

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* Lau Weng San, ADUN for Kampung Tunku and DAP Selangor Secretary