KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 — The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has proposed amendments to the Water Services Industry Act 2006 that could raise fines and jail time for offenders amid a rise in cases of water theft and illegal funnelling.
The commission is expected to get the approval from the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry and the Attorney-General’s Chambers soon, the New Sunday Times reported today.
“SPAN has proposed an increase in fines for Section 123 of the Act due to an increase in cases of water theft or illegal water supply connections.
“The proposal is to increase the maximum fine of RM100,000 to RM1 million and the maximum imprisonment of one year to 10 years,” SPAN chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Faizal Abdul Rahman was quoted as saying.
Water theft falls under Section 123 of the Water Services Industry Act, which provides for a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both, if convicted.
Last year, the country recorded the highest number of water theft cases in five years, at 229 incidents. Only 119 and 177 cases were reported in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
