03/08/2025

NATIONAL 4 theSun on Sunday AUG 3, 2025

No tariff hike for low water consumers: MB

Vaccination programme to curb measles Supplementary Immunisation Activity will be carried out by the state government through the Health Department over 10 weeks starting tomorrow to curb the rising number of measles cases. State Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said the supplementary Measles Rubella vaccine would be provided free of charge to all babies and children aged six to 59 months, those born between Aug 1, 2020, and Jan 31 this year, regardless of nationality. The campaign is expected to cover more than 46,000 children. He said the vaccine would be administered at all health clinics, rural clinics and Armed Forces health centres through walk-ins, appointments or via the MySejahtera app, as well as through outreach activities at selected locations. “A total of 38 measles cases have been recorded in Malacca this year, translating to an incidence rate of 36.3 per million population between the first and 30th epidemiological week. This compares with 74 recorded for the whole of last year. “This outbreak is also occurring across Malaysia, resulting in the country failing to meet the World Health Organisation measles elimination target, which is fewer than one case per million population and no outbreaks recorded in the current year,” he told reporters on Friday. Ngwe said the rise in measles cases in Malacca is believed to stem from several factors, including immunity gaps among children who missed the Measles-Rubella vaccination, particularly migrants, as well as high population mobility, given the status of Malacca as a tourist destination. – Bernama MALACCA: The Measles Rubella

day (MLD) capacity Jus Water Treatment Plant Phase 2; Jernih Water Treatment Plant (90 MLD), expansion of the Merlimau Water Treatment Plant Phase 2, construction of the Bukit Batu water tank and the upgrading of the Sebukor Water Treatment Plant.” It added that the adjustment would support the replacement and installation of new pipelines in Sungai Rambai, Ayer Molek, Bukit Baru, Masjid Tanah and the 30km stretch from Bukit Bahudin to Pekan Jasin. adjusting water charges for commercial enterprises, so as not to burden businesses and cause a rise in operating costs. To that end, he said commercial spaces and non-domestic buildings would be charged the same rate as domestic households using more than 35 cubic metres, which is RM3.51 per cubic metre, an increase of 57 sen per cubic metre. Usage exceeding 35 cubic metres would be charged at RM3.83 per cubic metre. He said registered and legitimate places of worship and welfare institutions would continue to enjoy the lowest water rates, with only a 10 sen increase, from 66 sen to 76 sen per cubic metre. For the shipping industry, he said the new charge would increase by 93 sen per cubic metre to RM8.01 per cubic metre, considering the rising water usage in the sector. As for data centres, the state government has accepted the Cabinet’s decision to impose a rate of RM5.31 per cubic metre. To allow sufficient preparation time for all users, the State Executive Council Meeting has agreed that the new rates would come into effect on Sept 1. Amirudin added that Air Selangor is building new water treatment plants in Rasau and Labohan Dagang 2, costing RM7.671 billion and RM479.52 million respectively. These efforts would increase treated water capacity by 2.73 billion litres per day. He also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to continue providing free water to over 1.3 million Selangor residents under 337,851 Skim Air Darul Ehsan accounts, with a benefit of RM13 per month. The state government would also raise the household income eligibility for recipients from RM5,000 to RM6,000 per month to assist more families. “In addition, the state government would absorb the increase in water supply charges for places of worship and welfare institutions, at an estimated cost of RM100,000 annually. “Our efforts to improve water services without burdening the people in need would see the state government absorbing costs of up to RM52.7 million.”

SHAH ALAM: Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state government has decided to maintain the current water tariff for domestic users consuming up to 20 cubic metres per month at 65 sen per cubic metre. He said this meant there would be no increase, as the rate was already adjusted in February 2024, and the minimum charge of RM6.50 for domestic users would remain unchanged. He also said the adjustment was made based on rates set by the National Water Services Commission, following the Cabinet’s approval of a new tariff structure for Peninsular S’gor households using less than 20 cubic metres need only pay RM6.50 per month

cubic metre, bringing the charge to RM3.51 for each cubic metre exceeding the 35 cubic metre threshold. He said the adjustment is aimed at encouraging more efficient water usage. For condominiums, estates and government quarters, the new charge would increase by 41 sen per cubic metre to RM2.09 for each cubic metre of water used. Amirudin also said the minimum bulk charge for condominiums would remain at the previous rate of RM173 per month, while the new minimum monthly charge for estates and government quarters would increase to RM20.90. To reduce the impact of living costs on residents of low-cost housing, he said the new rate would see the smallest increase among all domestic subcategories, namely by 10 sen per cubic metre to RM1.18 per cubic metre. He added that the state government is also committed to striking a balance in

Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan, adding that the revision is in response to applications submitted by various states to strengthen water services for the public and industry. “The state government holds the view that this adjustment is necessary, as efforts to increase water reserves to 20% by 2030 are crucial. “This would enable Air Selangor to strengthen efforts to replace over 1,600km of asbestos pipes across Selangor, at a rate of 300km per year starting this year,” he told Bernama. He added that the new rate for households consuming between 20 and 35 cubic metres of water per month would increase by 30 sen per cubic metre to RM1.62, covering usage up to 35 cubic metres monthly. He said for households consuming more than 35 cubic metres per month, equivalent to 35,000 litres, the new rate would increase by 88 sen per

Amirudin said the minimum bulk charge for condominiums would remain at the previous rate of RM173 per month. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Syarikat Air Melaka implements new rates MALACCA: Syarikat Air Melaka Berhad (SAMB) has introduced new water tariffs, effective Aug 1, aimed at keeping the state water supply system sustainable, stable and ready to meet future challenges. industries, government agencies, charitable institutions, places of worship, shipping and data centres, which would contribute more equitably to the cost of providing water services.” – Minimum charge: RM25 – Consumption: RM2.22/m³ Business/Industry/Government – Minimum charge: RM26.60 – 0-35 m³: RM2.66/m³ – More than 35 m³: RM2.72/m³

Data Centres – Minimum charge: RM53.20 – Consumption: RM5.32/m³

SAMB said the adjustment would also cover the long-term investment costs needed to make the water supply system more sustainable and capable of providing better services to the community, “The adjustment would also enable SAMB to expedite the implementation of key projects, including the 5 million litres per

The revised water supply tariff rates for Malacca are as follows: Domestic (Residential) – Minimum charge: RM9.40 – 0-20 cubic metre (m³): 94 sen/m³ – 21-35 m³: RM1.69/m³ – More than 35 m³: RM2.26/m³

In a statement, SAMB said the adjustment was made without burdening the majority of domestic users, particularly the 312,396 registered households that use water prudently, Bernama reported. “This adjustment also involves 48,788 non-domestic accounts involving business premises,

Places of worship/Charitable institutions

– Minimum charge: RM10.10 – Consumption: RM1.01/m³

Shipping – Minimum charge: RM80.20/m³ – Consumption: RM8.02/m³

Domestic (Residential Bulk Meter)