PBAPP denies hawkers pay more than construction sector for water

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Water Supply Corporation has dismissed suggestions that hawkers in the state pay more for water compared to the construction sector.

Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Jaseni Maidinsa said hawkers here pay an average trade tariff of RM1.36 per 1,000 litres for the first 500,000 litres of water.

He pointed out hawkers fall under the “trade ordinary” category, while the construction sector was in the “trade special” category which has a RM1.95 per 1,000 litres charge after a 35% rebate from Sept 10, 2014 from the previous RM3.

“These allegations as published in news reports are wrong and misleading,” he said in a statement in response to claims hawkers were being burdened with high water tariffs.

Jaseni said Penang hawkers enjoyed a water tariff lower than the national average of RM1.45 and cited Kedah, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Perak, Malacca, Selangor and Johor.

He said the average trade tariffs for these places ranged between RM1.40 to RM2.93 for the first 500,000 litres.

“The construction sector in Penang is paying an additional 59 sen more than hawkers,” he said.

Jaseni also played down suggestions PBAPP tariffs had driven up prices as 1,000 litres of water was only 1.36 sen per litre compared to RON95 petrol at RM1.95 per litre.

“Priced at only RM1.36 per 1,000 litres, water tariffs have the least impact on hawker food costs in Penang in comparison to GST (Goods and Services Tax), electricity and petrol costs,” he said.