Selangor's takeover of the water concessionaire companies in the state does not meant water tariffs will not rise, Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today.

However, Khalid said, the rise will only be 12 percent in the space of three years, as opposed to a very high figure claimed by PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli.

“I feel that the people of Selangor have long awaited this and want me to do this. Taking over the concessionaires does not mean water tariffs will not go up, but they will not go up very high.

 

“For example, in more than three years, water tariffs will go up not more than 12 percent,” Khalid said in an interview with TV3 aired last night.

 

The transcript of the joint interview with Water, Energy and Green Technology Minister Maximus Ongkili was published by Berita Harian today.

Khalid was also asked about Rafizi's argument that the memorandum of understanding on the restructuring between the state and federal governments could see higher costs to consumers.

 

Rafizi argued that this is because the terms of the MOU showed that the state would be forking out more money, which will have to be passed on to consumers through higher tariffs.

To this, Khalid briefly said: “No.”

He added that the heads of agreement between the two governments, which would be signed soon, also state that there will be no tariff hikes in the next three years.

Khalid's appearance with Ongkili at TV3's headquarters Sri Pentas two days ago for the pre-recorded interview had caused friction among PKR supporters, who view the station dimly for its anti-Pakatan coverage.

The Selangor MB was also criticised for signing the MOU with the BN-led federal government without first informing Pakatan leaders.

Pakatan's leadership council yesterday also sent emissaries to advise Khalid not to rush into the heads of agreement.

Meanwhile, in the TV3 interview, Khalid, who is also Bandar Tun Razak MP, said he was confident that the MOU would be honoured by all parties.

“If it's an empty promise then this is like a big drama, and we'll be dead. An agreement between a state and federal government cannot be amended, it must be honoured, no matter who is menteri besar, as it is between the two governments,” he said.