JOHOR BARU: The free water deal for low-income earners in Perikatan Nasional's election manifesto isn't impressive at all as the previous state government, led by Barisan Nasional, had implemented similar measures, says Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin.

       The Umno vice-president said under the Johor 2021 state budget, the state government had implemented a "free water scheme", where 10 cubic meters of water was given to the B40 group.

       Khaled also said during his tenure as mentri besar in 2013, the state government had increased water rebates from 20 cubic meters to 35 cubic meters for poor families.

       "These programmes have long been implemented by Barisan. It seems as though Perikatan has no other offers for the people," said Khaled in a Facebook posting on Thursday (March 3).

       He also questioned why Johor had the highest water tariffs in Malaysia.

       "This is a longstanding problem and it started from the gradual privatisation of water supplies in Johor beginning 1992.

       "This led to a water supply concession agreement signed with Syarikat Air Johor Holdings in 1999 for 30 years," he said.

       Khaled pointed out that Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was formerly Johor mentri besar in 1992.

       "He (Muhyiddin) should come forward and explain this matter.

       "Maybe, he feels guilty to the locals in Johor. That's why he stepped forward and offered free water.

       "Johor's water problems began during Muhyiddin's era," Khaled added.

       Muhyiddin was the mentri besar from Aug 1986 to May 1995.

       Polling is on March 12.