Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has threatened that "heads will roll" if the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) implements water rationing in the state.

In a statement today, Lim said the state government was prepared to grant PBAPP's request to increase water tariff as a water conservation measure. Rationing, therefore, was not acceptable.

"As the state government is willing to ‘bite the bullet’ by allowing water tariffs to rise, (PBAPP general manager)  has been informed that heads will roll if water rationing has still got to be imposed," Lim said.

Jaseni ( right ) had on Sunday warned of water rationing, citing less rainfall, the low level of the Sungai Muda and the capacity of three dams in Penang that have yet to recover.

Lim said the "no water rationing" directive was a top priority.

"In adopting the PBAPP management’s proposals to increase water tariff hike, PBAPP must reciprocate by not even entertaining the possibility of having to impose water rationing," he said.

'Penangites water usage unsustainble'

However, Lim agreed with Jaseni's assertion that Penangites' water usage of 311 litres per capita per day was "unsustainable" as it is 50 percent higher than the national average of 212 litres per capita per day.

He pointed out Singapore's usage was 151 litres per capita per day while the United Nation's recommendation was 100.

As such, Lim said this justified the increase of water tariff in the state.

"In making conserving water resources a priority, such high water usage in Penang is not sustainable during a prolonged drought and must be reduced through increasing water tariffs," he said.

Despite criticism for the move, Lim pointed out "genuine NGOs" had previously criticised the state government for not carrying out any water tariff hike since 1993.

Meanwhile, responding to NGO Water Watch Penang's proposal for water tariff to remain unchanged for the first 20 cubic metres but increased by 200 to 300 percent for subsequent usage, Lim said it was "too drastic".

Water Watch Penang's president Chan Ngai Weng had said such a price structure would not burden the poor with low water usage but penalise water wasters.

Lim had earlier this month announced that a hike in water tariff for Penang was "inevitable", but he did not reveal details.

"The state government will ensure that the new water tariff structure can reduce water usage but will not overburden the poor nor penalise conscientious water users," he said.

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