Consumers may face price hikes
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association president Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said although the hike is 'clear and fair', it would lead to higher operational costs for some businesses.
He said small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are expecting to see their monthly water bills increase by between RM5,000 and RM9,000.
'Those in the restaurant, laundry and manufacturing sectors will definitely be affected.
'And some industries may pass on costs to consumers, resulting in price hikes of between 3% and 7%,' he said yesterday.
On Friday, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced a two-tier water tariff structure for domestic users, along with separate rates for non-domestic users, including data centres.
It was estimated that businesses, commercial entities and non-domestic buildings would see an increase of RM0.57 for each cubic metre of water.
Households in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya will see an increase of between RM0.30 and RM0.88 per cubic metre of water depending on the volume of usage.
Free water worth RM13 per month will continue to be provided to 337,851 accounts under the Darul Ehsan Water Scheme.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) secretary-general Dr Saravanan Thambirajah acknowledged the need for water tariff increases but noted that it could add further pressure on the cost of living.
He called on the relevant enforcement authorities to monitor businesses to prevent them from using the water tariff hike as an excuse to disproportionately increase prices.
On the higher water rates for data centres, Saravanan said Fomca supported the move.
'This sends a strong signal for data centres to invest in more efficient cooling systems and water recycling technologies.
'It ensures that the costs of such heavy usage are not indirectly borne by ordinary consumers,' he said.
Under the new tariff rates, data centres will be charged RM5.31 per cubic metre of usage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
‘LHDN must be independent'
THE Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) wields immense power and should undergo structural reforms to ensure its independence from political influence and fiscal pressure, said Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic) (BN-Ayer Hitam). He proposed that LHDN be made an independent statutory body reporting directly to Parliament. 'Make this an important parliamentary reform,' he said when debating the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Dr Wee cited best practices from other countries, noting that the Internal Revenue Service of the United States is accountable to Congress and not the president. 'In the United Kingdom, His Majesty's Revenue and Customs operates independently of day-to-day ministerial directives. 'They have their own board of directors, and decisions involving operations, investigations or audits cannot be directed by the sitting government,' he said. Dr Wee also highlighted complaints from small and medium enterprises about lengthy delays in tax refunds. He said the prolonged process is viewed as tantamount to the government 'forcibly borrowing' money from the people without interest. 'For instance, a taxpayer entitled to a RM13,000 credit refund only receives RM650 at first, and the full amount is only returned after four years. 'But when the situation is reversed, taxpayers are penalised with late payment interest,' he said. Dr Wee called for key powers such as tax assessments, appeal processes, and exemption approvals to be placed under an independent body, free from the direction of the Finance Ministry or the government. Citing the ongoing dispute between Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and the LHDN, he raised concerns about the implications of a RM10.6bil tax claim against the utility giant. He said TNB had, for decades, filed taxes under Schedule 7A of the Income Tax Act as a power generator, a classification the company maintains is appropriate. The Federal Court ruled on July 2 in favour of LHDN in TNB's 2018 tax dispute, deciding that TNB should have applied for an investment allowance under Schedule 7B rather than the reinvestment allowance under Schedule 7A. Dr Wee questioned the sudden shift by LHDN and its significant financial impact on a government-linked company backed by public retirement savings. 'This is not a case of tax evasion or fraud. If the Treasury's decision against TNB stands, this isn't just a tax grab; it is daylight robbery of the rakyat's retirement funds, disguised by bureaucratic language,' he said. Before Dr Wee could finish, Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar) invoked Standing Order 36(12), accusing Dr Wee of misleading the House. 'This matter has gone through the courts. The ruling was based on existing laws that were in place when the honourable member for Ayer Hitam was a minister. 'His statement about 'daylight robbery' is not just inaccurate; it misleads the House,' Chong said, demanding a retraction and threatening to refer Dr Wee to the Privileges Committee. Deputy Speaker Alice Lau then advised Chong to file a motion. 'Respect me as a representative of the people. Let me finish. This is a policy proposal rooted in reform, based on models from developed nations. What wrong have I committed in presenting this?' Dr Wee asked. He clarified that his criticism was aimed at the system, not the current administration, and that his broader call was for institutional independence in tax matters. 'I did not blame any specific government. My argument is for a system that does not operate on anyone's cue. That is the reform spirit we speak of,' he added.
New Straits Times
17 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Wee calls for independent IRB
KUALA LUMPUR: A member of Parliament has called for reform of the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), proposing that it be established as an independent statutory body accountable to Parliament rather than remain under the control of the Finance Ministry. Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (PH–Ayer Hitam) said such reform is necessary to ensure a clear separation that prevents any influence from political interests or fiscal pressures faced by the government. "IRB must not be seen as a political tool and should follow the dictates of the executive, regardless of who is in power. "It should no longer operate directly under the Finance Minister, as it has done previously and continues to do now. "So, I propose that IRB be established as an independent statutory body under the oversight of Parliament," he told the Dewan Rakyat during the 13th Malaysia Plan debate here today. Wee cited examples of the Internal Revenue Service in the United States, which is monitored directly by Congress, and the UK's His Majesty's Revenue and Customs, which operates independently from ministerial instruction. He said these agencies have their own board of directors, and decisions related to audits or investigations cannot be directed by the government. Meanwhile, Wee said there has been a growing number of complaints from small and medium enterprises, who claimed that tax refunds have been delayed. "This creates the perception that the government is borrowing the people's money without interest," he said. He cited a recent case in which a taxpayer had applied for a RM13,000 refund, only to receive a response from IRB offering RM650, with the remaining amount to be paid over four years. "This shows why the power to determine tax interpretation, appeals and approvals for reliefs must be placed under an independent authority, one that is not subject to the influence of those currently in power," he said.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Carey Island port development discussed at Selangor JBI meeting
SHAH ALAM: The development of a third port on Carey Island was among the key topics discussed during the Selangor Joint Committee for Industrial Coordination (JBI) meeting today. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari stated that the proposal is still in early stages and requires further evaluation by the Economy and Finance Ministries. Amirudin said, '(The development of Carey Island) is part of the discussion scope (in the JBI meeting). A proposal was brought up, but we are just beginning and it's still too early. If it proceeds well, (the project) could serve as a significant leap and may be included in the review of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) or the Second Selangor Plan (RS-2), which is expected to be tabled in June 2026.' The meeting, co-chaired by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz, also focused on investment commitments and development agendas. Three Selangor government proposals were tabled: industrial park development, waste-to-energy projects, and an aerospace hub. MITI presented papers on rare earth elements (REE) downstream and midstream development, as well as robotic mechanisation in cleaning operations. Discussions also covered efficient governance aligned with the Speed Selangor policy. Amirudin addressed Selangor's trade imbalance, noting high imports due to food and logistics reliance on Port Klang and KLIA's cargo terminal. He said, 'We import more than we export, but we aim to resolve this by boosting domestic production moving forward.' - Bernama
