Affected Johor account holders get 15% rebate as MB apologises for four-day water disruption
JOHOR BARU: More than 155,000 account holders affected by the sudden four-day water disruption recently will be given a 15% rebate in their water bill this month, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi ( pic ).
The Johor Mentri Besar said this decision resulted from a meeting with water operator Ranhill SAJ to find a fair and responsible way to address the issue.
"Following the discussion, Ranhill SAJ has agreed to give a 15% rebate on the water bills of all 155,074 affected account holders this month.
"This covers accounts under domestic and non-domestic categories, such as houses of worship, charitable institutions, businesses and industries.
"I am aware that this may not make up for the hardship experienced by those affected, but I hope it will, in some way, help ease their burden," he said in his speech during the state assembly sitting here on Monday (May 26).
In his speech, Onn Hafiz also made a public apology to those affected by the unexpected water crisis.
"On behalf of the state government, I would like to apologise to all Johoreans who were affected by the recent water supply interruption.
"I understand that this is not a small issue, especially as it disrupted the daily lives of families and halted the operations of schools, hospitals and businesses," he said.
He said that a total of 42 water tankers, 51 static water tanks and 13,000 cartons of mineral water were distributed to households impacted by the water cut.
"A task force has also been formed to ensure that this will never happen again in the future," he said.
The water disruption, which began last Wednesday and lasted until Saturday, affected over 150,000 account holders in Iskandar Puteri and Johor Baru.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
Tougher measures to clean up Johor
Onn Hafiz says the state government will use AI-based monitoring systems. Johor government will set up a special task force as part of a renewed effort to address illegal rubbish dumping. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said they aimed to implement a more comprehensive strategy against offenders. The announcement comes as official figures highlight the ongoing challenge. Last year, local councils statewide handled 2,206 cases of illegal rubbish dumping, with compounds reaching RM654,210. This trend has continued as another 634 cases were recorded, with compounds worth RM202,700 as of April this year, Onn Hafiz revealed. The intensified approach, he said, follows a decree from Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim. 'It is time we stop tolerating littering, whether on the streets or in the rivers,' he said at the state assembly sitting in Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar. As of April this year, 634 cases of illegal dumping were recorded in Johor. — Filepic Onn Hafiz acknowledged that current laws, including the Local Government Act 1976 and Environmental Quality Act 1974, were proving insufficient. 'The penalties are no longer strong deterrents, especially when compared to other countries with stricter enforcement and heavier fines,' he said. 'As such, the state government can no longer rely solely on existing approaches. 'We must take more radical and firm steps,' he said, adding that among them included raising the minimum compound rate and reviewing outdated by-laws. Onn Hafiz said the task force would focus on three key areas, the first being strengthening enforcement and reviewing outdated by-laws. 'It will also step up civic education and public awareness campaigns, as exemplified by Japan's cleanliness culture,' he elaborated. Additionally, the task force will deploy artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems at hotspots to speed up offender detection and prosecution. In his opening address at the assembly, Tunku Ismail had instructed the authorities to impose stricter punishment on those who continue to dump rubbish illegally. He said the state government and federal agencies must work together to address the issue.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Decade-long wait ends for buyers in abandoned Johor house project
Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi handing over the ownership certificate to house buyers of the abandoned housing project in Johor Bahru today. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : After more than a decade of waiting, buyers of the abandoned housing project in Taman Permata Layang, Simpang Renggam, Johor, have finally received their certificate for home ownership. Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said this project was close to his heart as it was within his own constituency of Simpang Renggam. 'I have been championing it since I first became an elected representative. 'Resolving the issue was no easy task – it required on-the-ground efforts, careful planning and close collaboration between various agencies,' he shared in a Facebook post today, Bernama reported. Onn Hafiz today handed over the home ownership certificates to the buyers of the 47 units of affordable homes, each priced from RM42,000. He hoped this achievement could serve as a stepping stone towards resolving other abandoned housing projects in Johor.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
MB: Kemas to serve as launchpad for Bangsa Johor pilot schools
KLUANG: Johor has begun aligning Kemas preschools as feeder institutions for the state's flagship Sekolah Rintis Bangsa Johor (SRBJ), a move that marks a major shift in early childhood education. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the alignment will involve curriculum coordination, particularly the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) elements. "This transformation will elevate Johor's preschool education to a more competitive and future-ready level," he said after the Kemas Johor 2025 Madani Community Empowerment Programme launch at Dewan Muafakat in Simpang Renggam here yesterday (June 3). More than 1,500 Kemas EMAS personnel from across the state attended the event. The Bangsa Johor pilot school initiative, launched in 2022, aims to create a holistic and identity-driven education system tailored for Johor students. SRBJ schools emphasise unity, academic excellence and values-based learning rooted in local identity. To support the integration effort, the Johor government allocated RM1.5 million to upgrade Kemas-operated preschools and kindergartens, with another RM1.8 million channelled into the Iqra' and Fardu Ain programme to strengthen religious education. Onn Hafiz also presented the Kemas Outstanding Educator Award to two long-serving educators for their contribution to early childhood development in the state. "Johor remains committed to shaping a generation that is not only knowledgeable but also rooted in values," he said. Kemas preschools are part of the early childhood education programme offered by the Community Development Department in the country. They provide early education for children aged 4 to 6 years, preparing them for primary school, and fostering social and communication skills. Kemas also operates nurseries for children aged 2 to 4.
