KOTA KINABALU: A Parti Warisan representative expressed concern that the recent electricity tariff hike in Sabah would have a negative impact on the people, creating a domino effect. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s statement that 99% of commercial users in Labuan and Sabah would not be affected by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB)’s tariff increase was met with skepticism by Sri Tanjung assemblyman Justin Wong, who believed that the hike would still have negative consequences.
Wong argued that even the 1% of commercial users affected by the tariff increase would be forced to pass on the additional operational costs to wholesalers and retailers, ultimately resulting in higher prices for consumers. He warned that this increase in electricity prices could have a significant impact on the entire supply chain, particularly when the bills of manufacturers and factories rise by as much as 300%, causing prices of goods and services to skyrocket.
He noted that the tariff hike comes at a difficult time, considering the unstable economy and high unemployment rate in Sabah. Wong raised these concerns in response to the tariff increase, which has led to a sharp rise in electricity prices in the state.
During a state assembly sitting, Chief Minister Hajiji responded to Wong’s criticism, challenging the assemblyman’s assertion that the government’s failure to object to the tariff hike demonstrated its ineffectiveness. Wong specifically questioned why the ICPT surcharge and subsequent increase in electricity tariff were implemented despite the unstable power supply in Sabah.
Wong further criticized the tariff hike, noting that the 300% increase from 2.11 Sen/kWh to 7.21 Sen/kWh until June 30, 2024, has significantly impacted the people. He highlighted that this increase has made the electricity tariff for commercial properties in Sabah even higher than in Peninsular Malaysia, which is at 3.7 Sen/kWh for medium voltage users. He urged the state government to focus on alternative power sources as a solution to the excessive tariff hike.
He called on the Sabah government to exercise control over the increase in electricity tariff now that the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) has taken over the regulatory authority of the state’s electricity supply from the Energy Commission (EC). Wong also recommended that the state government provide local industrial companies with a subsidy to offset the drastic increase in power tariff.
