JOHOR BARU, Sept 23 — State Public Works, Rural and Regional Development Committee Chairman, Datuk Hasni Mohammad said the Johor government will decide on the proposed hike in water tariffs no later than early next year.

“The proposed hike of 20 per cent by Syarikat Air Johor (SAJ) Holdings Sdn Bhd is high compared with the rise in the cost of living.

“A hike of between 10-12 per cent may be more appropriate but we also understand the problems faced by the SAJ,” he told a press conference after opening the Water Services Industry Seminar 2014 here, today.

The Johor government’s last hike of water tariffs was in 2011.

The proposed hike was made due to the rising cost of water treatment which doubled due to the hike in electricity tariffs and pollution.

He said the hike in electricity tariffs was made twice while most of the state’s water resources are polluted.

“The Sembrong and Machap dams for instance, face the threat of severe pollution due to modern agriculture in Kluang, resulting in rising costs.”

The state government was addressing pollution by coordinating with the Johor Water Regulatory Body (Bakaj), Drainage and Irrigation Department, Forestry Department and the Land Office.

Hasni said approval of amendments to the Water Enactment 2014 by the State Legislative Assembly will increase the effectiveness of water resource management enforcement agencies.

“The amendments will empower the directors of Bakaj to act against those who pollute water supplies, including issuing compound and empowering civil servants to help overcome the pollution in water resources areas.” — Bernama