 GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was chided for the hike of water tariffs to take place in the near future. Penang Gerakan secretary Oh Tong Keong lashed out at Lim for practising double standards. Describing Lim as “swallowing his own words”, he also asked if the Chief Minister had forgotten his 2014 new year message that the Penang government “has not increase quit rent, water tariff, assessment nor business licence for this year and next year”. “DAP leaders cried foul when the Federal Government exercised subsidy rationalisation. But when the Pakatan Rakyat state governments increase water rates, even during economic downturn, it is rational and reasonable decision. “This is absurd,” Oh said in a statement on Thursday. He also noted that it was the previous Barisan Nasional state government who enabled Penangites to enjoy cheaper water tariff compared to other states with proper planning and farsightedness. “The state government has the power to increase water rates but don’t be a hypocrite,” he said. It was reported that Lim said the increase was inevitable as soft approach to educate the public to reduce their water consumption all these years had failed. He said that the Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) had requested permission to actively study the increase in water tariffs and the state government had agreed to it. However, he could not disclose when will the hike be imposed, as studies need to be carried out first. The Star
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