Pahang does not intend to raise water tariff

KUANTAN: The Pahang state government does not intend to raise water tariff even though Pahang Water Management Berhad (Paip) incurred a deficit of about RM10 million a month.
State Basic Facilities and Environmental Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Soffi Abdul Razak said the decision was made by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob who did not want to burden the people with an increase in water tariff.
He added that Paip only earned a revenue of RM13 million a month, compared to the monthly operating costs that reached up to RM23 million which should be borne by the utility company.
"A sum of RM9 million is allocated as payment to Tenaga Nasional Berhad for the cost of electricity for the plant ... not including any other costs such as management and payroll.
"However, the Mentri Besar's concern has made it clear that the water rates are retained but the service provided is good," he said at the Pahang State Assembly sitting at Wisma Sri Pahang here, today.
Mohd Soffi was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Khairuddin Mahmud (BN-Pulau Manis).
Meanwhile, replying to a question by Lee Chin Chen (DAP-Ketari) who wanted to know the cost and action taken by Paip to address water supply problems caused by outdated water pipes, Mohd Soffi said efforts had been taken to resolve the problem.
"The management has identified pipes that need to be upgraded and applied to the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water according to priorities such as age, condition and type of pipe.
"PAIP has 31 burst pipe repair teams in every district comprising five personnel, equipment, vehicles and excavators ... we are constantly monitoring repair activities.
"So far PAIP has achieved the Key Performance Index (KPI) set, every burst pipe causing disruption to supply is resolved within 24 hours," he said.
In the meantime, the state assembly was told that the Pahang government had set up a trust management body to conserve the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Silver Jubilee Agricultural Park here to ensure that it is not affected by development including the East Coast Rail Route (ECRL) project.
State Rural Development, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Committee chairman Datuk Shafik Fauzan Sharif said the trust body was led by Tengku Puan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
"The purpose of the trust is to maintain the park and it is the government's commitment to sustain it despite the development," said Shafik Fauzan in replying to a supplementary question by Sim Chon Siang (PKR-Teruntum).
Replying to a question by Lee Chean Chung (PKR-Semambu) regarding expenses for managing the agricultural park, Shafik Fauzan said RM3.5 million had been allocated for the period 2011 to 2016.
Meanwhile, Pahang Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Johari Hussain said 49 Pahang athletes had represented the nation at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games 2017.
Seventeen athletes also won gold medals in eight events, including martial arts, karate, hockey, netball and polo, he said when replying to a question by Datuk Mohamed Ariffin Awang Ismail (BN-Chenor).
The state assembly sitting will resume tomorrow. – Bernama