‘No decision by Kelantan govt on tariff hike’

KOTA BARU: The Kelantan government has yet to make a decision on increasing water tariffs as it has not had a discussion with the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry.

Air Kelantan Sdn Berhad (AKSB) general manager Wan Mohd Zamri Wan Ismail said the state government would hold a meeting with the ministry soon.

“If the ministry has decided to increase water tariffs, then only will it increase. It is subject to the decision at the meeting.

“No decision has been made so far on the increase in water tariffs, but the ministry has suggested for the increase to take place in April systematically across the country.

“If the state government agrees, then water tariffs will rise. We (AKSB) are just coordinators by providing information to the ministry to review water tariffs,” he said here yesterday.

He said the last water tariff increase in Kelantan was in September 2013 and the increase in water tariffs rose accordingly to the cost of raw materials.

However, he said, the state government would not burden the people by raising water tariffs.

“Water consumption in Kelantan is among the lowest, at 170 litres per person per day,” he said.

The New Straits Times Press yesterday reported that the proposal by the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry to raise water tariffs would contribute to the escalating cost of living.

Pulau Pinang confirmed an increase of 20 per cent in water tariffs, while Negri Sembilan and Perak are studying the effects of such a decision and may take a similar action.

In Johor, the raise was done in 2015.

No decision has been made on the increase in water tariffs, but the ministry has suggested for the increase to take place in April systematically across the country. WAN MOHD ZAMRI WAN ISMAIL

Air Kelantan Sdn Berhad general manager