THE Penang state government will introduce a water conservation surcharge (WCS) in November in an attempt to discourage wastage. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is also the chairman of Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP), said that 70 per cent of domestic consumers will not be affected. "We believe only 30 per cent of domestic consumers have been identified as wasting water in excess of our targeted monthly allowanceof 35 cubic metres." Read here. He also said the surcharge was needed, as the average daily water usage of 286 litres per household is well above the national average of 205 litres. Read here.

The move was met with criticism by the state opposition. Kedah Gerakan youth chief Tan Keng Liang claimed that the surcharge would hurt low-income families, and went against Pakatan Rakyat's common policy framework (CPF). Read here.

Treasury finalises RM2.2bil loan agreement for Second Penang Bridge

The Federal Treasury is finalising a RM2.2bil loan agreement that will fund the construction of the Second Penang Bridge. "As it is a cross-country loan, the parties involved are still in the process of deciding which legal jurisdiction is to be used as the basis of the agreement," said Deputy Minister of Finance Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai. "There are still some hiccups we need to sort out." Read here.

Meanwhile, RAM Ratings Sdn Bhd has reaffirmed the ratings of the Penang Bridge's debt notes amounting to RM1.4bil. It predicted that traffic going through the present bridge will drop by 16 per cent once the second bridge is completed. Read here.

Other news

• Gangsterism on the rise: Secret societies in Penang are no longer dominated by locals. Even Myanmar migrant workers are now being recruited. Read here.
• Aedes at Penang Hospital: A spot check for dengue breeding grounds by the authorities found the Penang Hospital compound teeming with aedes mosquitoes and larvae. Read here.
• Enough funds for Penang senior citizens scheme: The state government has set aside RM20mil for its Senior Citizens Appreciation Programme this year, which is more than ample to give away to the programmeís 107,720 registrants. Read here.

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