Ongkili: No electricity tariff increase this year

TAWAU: There will be no increase in electricity tariff nationwide this year, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

He said the assurance by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that the Government would not raise electricity tariff in the restructuring of Budget 2015 also met the expectation in Sabah.

“Although the practice has been to revise every six months, the Government has decided that there will be no tariff hike this year,” he told reporters after a visit to the Tanjong market and Tawau fish market here yesterday.

Ongkili said the rate should have been raised last year but the Government decided to absorb a to­­tal of RM800mil in subsidy with savings gained from independent producers.

“For next year, we have to look at the oil price first. We hope it will remain stable, not too high and not too low as this will affect the national economy," he said.

When asked to comment on the prices of goods, the Kota Marudu MP said the Government was aware of the people's grouses.

He said the price of goods could only go down in accordance with the drop in oil prices with the cooperation of all parties, especially manufacturers, suppliers and traders.

“Appeals to lower the price of goods following the drop in oil price have gone through the Do­­mestic Trade, Cooperatives and Con­­su­­me­­rism Ministry and members of the federal and state cabinets," he said.

Also present during the visit were Deputy Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, Sabah Rural Development Minister Datuk Radin Malleh and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Yong Oui Fah.

Recently, many business groups had called on Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) to lower electricity tariff as the prices of gas and coal – the primary sources for generating power – have gone down.

The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Ma­­laysia has said TNB could save an estimated RM730mil this year based on the downward trend of natural gas, oil and coal prices.

Its president Datuk Lim Kok Cheong said the utility company had raised the tariff from time to time based on increases in fuel prices.

Malaysian Associated Indian Cham­bers of Commerce and Industry president Tan Sri K.K. Eswaran had said it was only fair that TNB revised tariffs since the prices of fuels had dropped tremendously. — Bernama