Free water supply to benefit water supply company more than people: Hasni

JOHOR BARU: The state government's decision to deliver 10 cubic metres of free water at a cost of RM25 million a year will only benefit the company that is providing the service.
Johor Opposition Leader Datuk Ir Hasni Mohammad said the state government should carry out a preliminary study on the matter, even if it was to fulfill a pledge made by Pakatan Harapan during the 14th General Elections (GE14).
Hasni, who is also Benut State Assemblyman, said this was because the benefits of the free water supply did not affect the people, instead, the state government lost RM25 million a year which is a huge amount of revenue for a state.
"The Menteri Besar should get the full picture to see if the rates offered are affordable or otherwise, instead of being satisfied with SAJ Ranhill's charges.
"By paying the company a sum of RM25 million a year, coupled with the increase in water tariffs expected to be implemented in 2019, it is clear that the people will continue to be fooled," he said in a statement here today.
Hasni said that the state government should seek to have more power and a bigger voice in SAJ Ranhill as doing so, would make it more effective and beneficial for the people.
Yesterday, Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian announced that free water would be supplied to a number of low-income households in the state, which would be implemented in early Sept.
Osman said the implementation of the RM25 million a year budget was approved in the state executive council meeting two days ago, adding that an estimated 395,000 Malaysians were eligible to receive the free water grant worth RM10.
In the GE13 manifesto, Pakatan Harapan Johor had promised to provide 10 free cubic metres of quality water to the B40s (those who are in the bottom 40% of households). — Bernama