THE lower income households and houses of worships have been enjoying ‘benefits’ from the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) for many years.
The corporation offered schemes, loans and rebates to its consumers, especially to the lower income households and houses of worships over the years.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said as directed by the Penang government, the PBAPP would continue to implement all its water supply-related corporate social responsibility schemes, loans and rebates in the state.
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said public should not be misled by statements claiming that the proposed Penang water tariff review would adversely affect or overburden the hardcore poor and lower income group.
“We have been providing one free pipe connection to homes for those with household income of RM790 or less per month (hardcore poor), who still do not have pipe connection. This scheme is called the PPRT Scheme.
“We provide free water supply for up to 60,000 litres per cycle (two months) for those hardcore poor who has existing pipe connection, under the same PPRT scheme.
“For those with lower income households (with household income of RM1,000 per month or less), we provide interest-free loans of up to RM1,500 (repayable in 50 installments via water bills) and waiver for trunk mains contributions,” Jaseni told a press conference at the Penang Botanic Gardens Department building today.
He added that houses of worship also received special tariff rebates of RM5 for bills less than RM50; and RM10 rebate for bills more than RM50.
“All these benefits will be extended this year (2019) to the foreseeable future.
In 2017, PBAPP provided support to 199 families under the PPRT programme at a total cost of RM16,482.
The corporation also gave ‘kampung loans’ amounting to RM133,870 to 90 lower income households in 2017 to pay for their water pipe connections.
A total of 1,788 mosques, suraus, churches, Chinese and Indian temples also enjoyed rebates amounting to RM71,080 in 2017.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi