TRDI

KUALA TERENGGANU, August 3 – Syarikat Air Terengganu Sdn Bhd (SATU) has maintained the free water subsidy for B40 households as well as registered mosques and suraus, despite the water tariff adjustment taking effect on August 1, 2025.

SATU Chief Executive Officer, Ts. Abdul Karim Endut, said the Cabinet has approved the tariff adjustment for all states in Malaysia under the Tariff Setting Mechanism (TSM) for the second implementation period, affecting both domestic and non-domestic users.

However, he explained that in efforts to safeguard the welfare of the people, the state government has retained the 20 cubic meters of free water per month for eligible B40 households.

"At the same time, water usage in mosques and suraus registered with the Terengganu Department of Religious Affairs (JHEAT) will continue to be fully subsidised by the Terengganu State Government.

"This subsidy is not only continued but increased from RM2.5 million to RM3.0 million annually," Abdul Karim said in a statement to the Terengganu Information Secretariat (UPDI) today.

For the record, a total of 13,715 accounts have benefited from the 20 cubic meters of free water monthly since 2019, amounting to RM2.5 million annually.

As for mosques and suraus, the subsidy covers 1,883 accounts with a total cost of RM1.5 million per year.

Commenting on the new tariff adjustment, Abdul Karim said domestic users with individual meters consuming up to 20 cubic meters of water per month will see a rate increase of 8 sen per cubic meter.

Meanwhile, for non-domestic categories such as industrial and commercial users, the revised rates reflect actual operating costs while remaining competitive compared to other states.

“Tariffs for places of worship and charitable institutions remain unchanged as a sign of the government’s support for the social and religious roles played by these institutions.

“SATU has also allocated approximately RM50 million annually to improve water supply infrastructure, including the construction and upgrading of treatment plants, distribution systems, and efforts to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW),” he added.

According to a report by Malaysiakini, Johor retains the highest water tariff at RM1.05 per cubic meter (0-20 m³), followed by Melaka at RM0.94, and Labuan at RM0.92.