KOTA KINABALU: The Chairman of the National Consumer Foundation of Malaysia (YPNM) in the state, David Chan, has urged Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) not to raise the electricity tariff rates for consumers in the state.
He said this is because the new government has just implemented the ICPT (Imbalance Cost Pass-Through) mechanism for consumers.
He expressed concern that if the electricity tariff rates are raised, it will become an additional burden for consumers, as many living costs have also increased in recent years.
“We sincerely hope that SESB will consider this deeply before taking any steps to raise electricity tariffs.
“They are currently adjusting to the changes brought about by the ICPT and are already burdened with various other daily costs.
“If we want to help the people and ensure a better life for them, the association requests that any decision to raise electricity tariffs be postponed,” he said.
David commented on the statement by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) that the Ministry needs to review the basic electricity tariff in Sabah to reduce SESB’s dependence on subsidies from the Federal Government.
According to PETRA, the Ministry’s efforts are to ensure that SESB is no longer dependent on tariff subsidy support from the Federal Government and that the reserve margin reaches 30 percent by 2030.
In further comments, David said that they believe it is necessary to balance SESB’s financial health while also taking care of consumers’ economic well-being.
“We appeal for the welfare of the people to be given priority and for the people to be given a certain period so that their lives are not burdened by various other cost increases,” he said.
