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Unfair water pricing
31/03/2008 The Star
FREE water from June 1 (The Star, March 29) brings great news to Selangor
consumers.
However, the second paragraph of the report (Those whose supply is linked to
bulk meters – including flat, apartment and condominium dwellers – will not
enjoy the free water just yet) is of great concern.
It must be noted that dwellers of flats, apartments and condominiums are
already paying a much higher rate for their water supply (RM1.38 per cu m
for first 20 cu m) as compared to the dwellers of landed property (RM0.57
per cu m for first 20 cu m).
Come June, there will be even greater differences between the dwellers of
these stratified properties compared to landed.
The decision, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said, was
to lessen the burden of the people, especially those in the lower-income
group.
But most of the lower-income group in our communities live in high-rise
flats and apartments. This is the group that should rightly benefit – but
unfortunately, it will not be so for a while yet.
It would mean having to convert the current bulk meters in high-rises to
individual meters.
The catch is the management of the stratified property has to apply to
Syabas for this conversion. And before the conversion can take place, all
100% of the owners of the stratified property have to agree to the
conversion to individual metres.
Many management companies (which in most cases are the developers
themselves) would not want to convert as some are charging the residents
extra for the water consumption.
And even in cases where the management has applied to Syabas, it is almost
impossible to get 100% of the residents to agree.
This problem can easily be solved. This is an issue that the newly elected
state government probably have overlooked or are still studying.
I would appeal to the current state government to amend the law to make the
conversion of bulk meters mandatory upon Syabas.
With the conversion, the rakyat would benefit equally irrespective of the
kind of dwelling.
PETER CHONG,
Puchong, Selangor.
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