Anwar questions double standards over water tariff hikes

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has questioned the double standards of critics who remain silent when Opposition-led states raise water tariffs, but attack the Federal Government over similar policies.

He said the Federal Government had no objection to the increases, as there were valid reasons behind them.

“The state governments wrote to the minister to seek approval to raise water tariffs. We didn’t block them or instruct them — we had no objection.

“It’s a state matter. Water is under state jurisdiction. All four states — Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu — raised tariffs, and others did too. But because these are Opposition-led states, no one makes a fuss.

“If it had been the Federal Government raising tariffs, we would be harshly criticised. But as the one responsible, I had no issue because there was a genuine need,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat, responding to Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid’s question on Tuesday (Aug 5).

Anwar also pointed out similar criticism over the government’s targeted subsidy reforms for fuel and electricity.

“It’s the same with the RON95 subsidy targeting. Why the double standards? We’ve reduced subsidies for foreigners and the wealthy, while easing the burden on ordinary Malaysians and lower-income groups,” he added.

He mentioned the increase in electricity tariffs, which will only affect industrial sectors.

“The public has received their July bills, and Opposition MPs claim the rates have risen. While tariffs increased, the actual payments were lower.

“If anyone is paying more, I’m puzzled because the average reduction is between 8% and 14%. Electricity prices have decreased, as have fuel prices; that’s the situation,” he added.