Perak reassessing 10pc discount on water bills
IPOH: The Perak government is reassessing its provision of 10 per cent discount on monthly water bills for domestic use following objections from the public.
The facility is limited to consumption of not more than 20 cubic metres, or 20,000 litres, and due to take effect next month.
Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu said many were of the view that the 10 per cent discount should not be given because it would encourage wastage of the precious commodity.
“That is good feedback. So, as a responsible government, we must make a wise decision,” he said after chairing a Perak Water Board (LAP) meeting.
Faizal said the matter was deliberated at the meeting, adding that LAP was instructed to come up with a working paper for the state executive council so that it could make a decision.
He said for now, the discount would apply for next month’s bills and that further information on it would be announced later.
On the provision of 25 cubic metres, or 25,000 litres, for free to needy households effective next month, Faizal said it was still on.
He said LAP recorded a net profit of RM36.19 million in the first six months of the year as compared with RM32.80 million last year. Sale of water increased to RM170.80 million (January to June) as compared with RM164.62 million last year.
“Since subsidies (on water bills) were given to poor households in Perak, LAP spent RM9.6 million from Jan 1 to July 17 subsidising the water bills of 11,544 families.”