Perlis Mulls Water Bill Rebate For B40 Group, e-Kasih Recipients - MB

KANGAR, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- The Perlis government will conduct a study to provide water bill rebates for domestic consumers in the B40 income group and recipients of e-Kasih aid, following the recent increase in the minimum water charge from RM7.20 to RM8.80, effective Aug 1.

Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said the initiative aims to help ease the financial burden faced by low-income households in the state.

“We want to look after the welfare of the people. We are planning to possibly give rebates to the B40 group and e-Kasih aid recipients,” he told reporters after the Perlis State Legislative Assembly sitting, here, today.

Mohd Shukri said the state also needed sufficient funding to address the longstanding issue of non-revenue water (NRW), as well as to support infrastructure improvements, noting that Perlis had not reviewed its water tariffs in over 30 years.

Meanwhile, state Infrastructure, Transport and Border Relations Committee chairman Izizam Ibrahim, in responding to matters raised during the sitting, disclosed that approximately 63 per cent of treated water distributed to consumers does not generate revenue for the state government.

“This issue didn’t arise overnight. It stems from an ageing and deteriorating pipeline network, some parts of which are over 40 years old. The water distribution system is inefficient, and we can no longer afford to delay corrective action,” he said.

He added that, if no reforms are implemented, the system will continue to suffer from leakages, low water pressure, and frequent supply disruptions. The operating losses, which already run into millions of ringgit annually, will only escalate.

Izizam said that the water tariff adjustment is being implemented in stages, with close monitoring, to improve the water supply system by replacing ageing pipes, enhancing distribution efficiency, and ensuring a stable and continuous supply for all consumers.

-- BERNAMA