CYBERJAYA: The decision on increasing water tariffs was based on requests made by state menteri besar and chief ministers, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said the government had agreed to the matter after deliberating it.

"All states asked us to increase it. There are states that haven't increased (their tariff) for more than 40 years. After they proposed it, the federal government agreed with it," he said during the Cabinet retreat, here, today.

Yesterday the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) said the new water tariffs for domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan will see an average increase of 22 sen per cubic metre, effective from Feb 1.

This adjustment is expected to impact approximately 6.9 million users in the domestic category, representing 86.6 percent of the 7.9 million account holders.

The decision on increasing water tariffs was based on requests made by state menteri besar and chief ministers, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. BERNAMA PIC
The decision on increasing water tariffs was based on requests made by state menteri besar and chief ministers, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. BERNAMA PIC