KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 — A DAP lawmaker claimed today Johor citizens are paying the highest water tariff in the country although the state profits from exporting the utility to Malacca as well as Singapore, which enjoys much cheaper water thanks to its higher currency and Putrajaya’s refusal to increase prices .

Kluang MP Teo Nie Ching claimed Johoreans pay RM1.05 for the first 35 cubic metres of water which is far above the national average of RM0.66 or an equivalent of 159 per cent more.

“Currently the Johor government is selling raw water to Malacca and Singapore at RM0.30/1000 gallons and RM0.03/1000 gallons respectively, from which the government receives a monthly payment of RM230,000 from the Malacca government and RM200,000 from Singapore.

“Despite the fact that the Johor government is making profit from selling untreated water, Johoreans are paying higher water tariffs than the Malaysians in Malacca,” she told a press conference in Parliament here.

The Kulai MP also claimed Johor pays the highest industrial water tariff in the country.

For the first 80 cubic metres usage of water, Johor is charged RM2.80/m which is an extra 210 per cent compared to the national average tariff of RM1.33/m.

Even with the usage of the first 500m, the industrial water tariff in Johor is RM2.93/m or 215 per cent higher than the national average tariff of RM1.36/M.

“Johor has been known as the fixed deposit state for Barisan Nasional (BN) until the 13th general election. It is sad that despite Johoreans’ strong support towards BN, their support have been taken for granted,” Teo noted.

The lawmaker then blasted Putrajaya’s refusal to increase prices for raw water supply to Singapore, noting that the charges have not increased for the past 52 years.

The Johor government had recently proposed a review of the charges but yesterday Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Ser Dr Maximus Ongkili shot down the proposal.

Teo said, however, both Putrajaya and the Johor BN government must explain why Johor is paying more for treated water than Malacca.

“They should also explain to all Johoreans what steps will be taken to lower the water tariff in Johor,” she said.