Malaysians need to learn how to use water wisely

Malaysians need to learn how to use water wisely, urged Gerakan

                                                                        Press statement by Dr Cheah Soon Hai,

                                            Gerakan head of central bureau on environment, safety and quality of life

                                                                                and Derga State Assemblyman

Gerakan head of central bureau on environment, safety and quality of life, Dr Cheah Soon Hai today urged Malaysians to start using water wisely starting from correcting their water usage habits.

He said, there is a tendency to waste water among the general public of Malaysia perhaps due to a misconception amongst the people and the policy makers that we will not be hit with water shortage problem due to the heavy rainfall we have throughout the year.  Nevertheless, there cannot be any good reason nor excuse for the habit of wasting natural resources.

Dr Cheah said, in Malaysia, the recommended water consumption for each household is 165 litres perday, however, reports reveals that the usage of water for each household in general is more than 226 liters per day. Compared to our neighboring countries, Malaysia’s water consumption is more than double of Singapore and triple or more compared to Thailand. That shows how the wasteful Malaysians are!   

Dr Cheah said, in Singapore, the price of water per meter cubic is around SGD0.50, equivalent to RM1.25, whereas in Thailand is between 10 to 15 Thai baht, equivalent to RM1 to RM1.50. This price of water in Malaysia is relatively low compared to its’ two neighboring country.  Besides, being one of the controlled and subsidized natural resources in Malaysia, water supplied for domestic usage is sold at a price lesser than its cost in treatment and delivery. The people, especially the lower income family will be suffering if the government has to increase the price of the water as the best way to curb water wastage. 

Dr Cheah said, “Start practicing reduce and reuse water habit is not that difficult, our little gestures such as closing the water when apply soap, reuse the water we used to wash vegetables to water our plants and reuse the water for washing the dishes to clean the washroom and etc.  Allowing unused water to flow unnecessarily is like letting the natural resources and money flowing down the drain for no apparent reason.”

Dr Cheah said in a press statement in response to news reports that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the cost of water services should be reasonable and linked to the amount used. Water could not be treated as though it was available in unlimited quantities and supplied at zero or low cost to consumers.

"We must not forget that when we turn on our tap, what comes out is not just water but a product which has a value."

Najib also said subsidies for supplying such resources to homes and industries should be targeted at those who deserved it and not just given across the board.