Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Xavier Jayakumar said the increase in the natural resource was needed to protect consumers’ interest in getting good water quality and ensuring the industry’s services.

“However, I can say that the increase will not burden the people and we will discuss it with all state (governments),” he said on the Ruang Bicara programme on Bernama News Channel last night.

He said the ministry was working with the National Water Service Commission and discussing the matter with the state governments, to get the agreement of all parties before the increase is implemented.

“We have forwarded the business plan to them (the state governments). Now the state governments are discussing among themselves… there are signs that they will agree with the increase in water tariff,” he said.

He added that the increased water tariff price had yet to be fixed as each state has different rates.