SELANGOR Pakatan Harapan lawmakers have appealed to consumers to understand the state’s restructured free water policy, one of the moves to scale down populist programmes in a bid to manage the purse strings of the country’s richest state.

Under the revised programme, now called the Air Darul Ehsan, only those in the B40 group or households earning under RM4,000 a month are entitled to free water, while other consumers will be charged a nominal fee for the first 20 cubic metres each month.

B40 recipients will also have the quantum of free water increased to 25 cubic metres monthly, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said recently.

The state legislative assembly voted to adopt the revise scheme last November. The revised scheme begins on March 1 next year. Registration for those eligible began on Monday.

Selangor assemblymen The Malaysian Insight spoke to urged consumers to accept the revision based on the need to avoid wastage of funds and ensure targeted subsidies reach those who really needed it.

Consumers also need to learn to see water as a precious natural resource that must be protected and conserved, especially after several episodes of water supply pollution and disruption.

DAP’s Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran told The Malaysian Insight he previously raised the matter of ensuring free water was implemented for targeted groups only.

“The subsidy should be given to only those who need it. I’ve raised this request in the previous state assembly,” he said.

Any saving from the exercise can be used to upgrade water services.

“For example, replacing pipes that rupture frequently and repairing damaged reservoirs,” he said.

Expecting backlash from constituents, he urged the media to help consumers understand the facts so that people could understand the consequences if the state government did not rationalise the programme.

“The people will be even more hostile when they experience water disruptions,” Rajiv said.

Teratai assemblyman Bryan Lai said lower-income families he spoke to appreciate the restructuring which will grant them five cubic metres more of free water.

“I agree that government assistance should be limited to lower-income families. For those who do not have high incomes but can still support their families, not having the first 20 cubic metres of water or RM11.40 subsidised will not have much of an effect as compared to households earning below RM4,000,” he said.

Lai said Selangor is not abolishing the free water policy but merely adjusting it so only the truly poor will benefit.

“The adjustment will result in savings from water subsidies next year, and the funds can be channelled to other areas, such as assistance for special-needs children, single mothers, etc.”

Kuala Kubu Baru assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong said it’s necessary for residents to stop wasting water.

“Selangor is the highest consumer of water on average in Malaysia and the revised policy is to make people will realise you don’t get water by merely turning on the tap.

“If the free water policy was to continue as it were, people will get used to it. We need to inculcate the mentality that water is a precious resource,” she said.

Selangor’s population has grown since the policy was first implemented in 2008 and the subsidies paid out have doubled, she added.

“We cannot continue subsidising water under such circumstances. After the state government took over water concessionaires, many pipes were in need of repair.

“The state’s priority now is to repair old pipes with the funds available so people will experience minimal water disruption.”

Around 1.6 million account holders are enjoying the state’s free water policy and will do so until February 29 next year.

But this has cost the state RM1.8 billion in subsidies as of December 31 last year, since the policy was launched in 2008.

Amirudin said recently the amount spent annually on the free water programme is about 10% of the overall state budget. Without a targeted revision, this will be unsustainable for state coffers.

His disclosure of the figures led Umno’s Sg Burong assemblyman Mohd Shamsuddin Lias to mock the policy revision, saying the opposition had opposed giving free water since its inception because of financial sustainability.

“Back then, we already warned that Selangor’s population will increase and the state will eventually be unable to sustain the policy,” Shamsuddin said, calling the policy “election candy” as it was introduced after the then Pakatan Rakyat coalition won Selangor for the first time in 2008.

PKR’s Rawang assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat said he observed that people are still split in their opinions about the revision but those who support it agree that resources should be channelled to the needy.

For consumers who are not eligible for free water once the scheme kicks off next year, Chua said the state will introduce other policies in the future for the middle class.

Bukit Melawai assemblyman Juwairiya Zulkifli concurred, saying the funds saved through restructuring the free water policy can go towards future policies.

More important right now is for assemblymen to ensure that they are helping the right people register for the subsidy, Chua added.

Selangor opposition lawmakers criticised the registration process soon after the state announced plans to revise the free water policy, saying it would burden the lower-income group.

Registration which is until December 31 has to be done through the Peduli Rakyat Initiative Smart System website at www.ssipr.selangor.gov.my, or by downloading the application form at www.airselangor.com or at Air Selangor Sdn Bhd regional offices.

Forms have to be emailed to [email protected] or submitted to any Air Selangor service counter. The helpline number is 15300.

Chua, as well as Amanah’s Taman Templer assemblyman Mohd Sany Hamzan, said assemblymen’s offices should mobilise people to help the B40 recipients register for the subsidy, including by enlisting the help of village chiefs. – October 2, 2019.