The Selangor Government will not reimburse residents but will instead give out coupons to those using bulk meters so they can benefit from the free water scheme.
Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the coupons could be used as payment by residents using bulk meters who have not been able to enjoy the 20 cubic metres of free water all this while.
“For those using the bulk meter system, the state government will give out coupons for 20 cubic metres of water worth RM11.40,” he said after officially launching a new block at the Pin Hwa High School here yesterday.
Khalid also said Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) had agreed to the state government’s proposal to change bulk meters to individual ones at flats and apartments in the state.
The issue has been a bone of contention among residents living in high-rise buildings.
In the most recent protest on Saturday, several residents from Mentari Court in Petaling Jaya carried placards questioning the state government’s free water scheme.
Selangor Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar also called for the state government to pay arrears to people who were using bulk meters and had not been able to enjoy the free 20 cubic meters of free water since it was given in 2008.
Noh, who is also Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, said those using bulk meter comprised mostly the poor and low-income families.
“Even those living in bungalows have enjoyed the free water, but flat dwellers using bulk meter have been denied the privilege. The promise was made to each Selangor citizen, not to each water meter,” he was quoted as saying on Monday.
