When the plan was first announced in March, MB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has said that the free water policy is implemented by reducing the cost per unit of usage and the state government (and the taxpayers) need not pay subsidies to Syabas… looks like Pak Lah is not the only one that is good at flip-flopping.

Well, Selangor folks would not need to pay the water bill from their own pocket, but is the water really free? Those money are coming from the state government after all… money that can be spent on improving infrastructures, productivity and quality of living in other ways which in the end will benefit the people in long term.

Is this the right thing for the Selangor government to do? I am not sure. I don’t like the concept of subsidies (of any kind) at the first place… Malaysians have been pampered for way too long with the subsidies, so long that some of us have been taken it for granted and lost the sense of competitiveness.

Update June 19 – the water is not really free, seriously. Consumers will still have to pay a RM6 minimal (service) charge to Syabas.

Those whose supply is linked to bulk meters – including flat, apartment and condominium dwellers – will not enjoy the free water just yet. [Thestar]

The state government and the water distribution concessionaire Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) are working on replacing the bulk meters (with individual meters)… but seems like it might take a while because of some complications.

Frankly, I would rather have cleaner water than free water… the water quality in Klang Valley has been pathetic in recent years. Set that aside, the free water should be welcome news for the lower income group.

I know there are arguments that the move might be unwise because it would encourage wastage, and that the rich would benefit from the policy. Thing is, if the poor could benefit from the free waters… it serves no harm for the rich and middle levels to enjoy the benefits as well isn’t it?

Besides, contrary to the subsidised petroleum and goods, the free water policy is implemented by reducing the cost per unit of usage… the state government (and the taxpayers) need not pay subsidies to Syabas. [Thestar] The only possible loser here is Syabas and its shareholders.

As of water wastage… it happens regardless of whether the water is free or not. People are wasting water because it’s cheap; a household of 4 would rarely used more than RM20 of water… those who would misuse the free water are probably wasting it right now, as RM20 doesn’t matter much to these people.

The challenge here is educating people to appreciate our water resources, be it free or not. It’s a matter of morals and social responsibility, which is another long story. At the meantime, appreciate the new policy, Selangor folks.