Perak is not among six states that have agreed to raise their water tariffs, says Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

He said the state government and Perak Water Board (LAP) had not made any decision on this and the issue of raising water tariffs was still being studied.

“We (state government) have not decided whether we will raise the tariffs for domestic consumers only, just for non-domestic consumers or all consumers in Perak,” he told reporters.

Earlier, Ahmad Faizal had accompanied an officer from the Menteri Besar’s Office who lodged a report with the MACC over alleged misappropriation in a theme park project here.

Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister, Dr Xavier Jayakumar had reportedly said that six states had agreed to raise their water tariffs following discussions between the ministry, state governments and National Water Services Commission (SPAN) which were still ongoing.

Ahmad Faizal noted that the state government had not been given any deadline by Putrajaya to decide whether to raise water tariffs.

However, he said, if there were a need to raise water tariffs in Perak, the state government would find the best way so as not to burden the consumers while ensuring the company’s sustainability in maintaining its operations in the long term.

According to LAP’s website, the maximum rate for water usage exceeding 20 cubic metres for domestic/government consumers is RM1.03 per cubic metre.

Under the business/industry category, the rate is RM1.61 per cubic metre for usage of more than 20 cubic metres, while for houses of worship/charitable homes, the maximum rate is RM0.34 for same amount of usage.

For the special bulk category, the maximum rate is RM0.69 per cubic metre for usage exceeding 20 cubic metres.

- Bernama