Cheers as govt doubles electricity bill rebate to RM40

PUTRAJAYA: The government has allocated RM80mil for monthly electricity bill rebate of RM40 each for 185,000 poor and hardcore poor households next year.

The RM40 Electricity Bill Rebate Programme is a new scheme to replace the RM20 Electricity Bill Rebate Programme which ends this month. The new scheme will run from Jan 1 to Dec 31.

It is for those registered and verified under the e-Kasih system.

Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change said under the targeted aid programme, eligible households would get free usage of electricity up to RM40 monthly.

“If the monthly usage is under RM40, the household head will automatically get free electricity based on the actual bill,” said the ministry.

“However, if the usage exceeds RM40, the household head needs to pay only the balance after deducting the rebate of RM40.”

The rebate programme is in line with the government’s aim of caring for the people’s welfare and quality of life, as stated in Budget 2019 tabled in November.

Consumers can check their e-Kasih and rebate eligibility on the ministry’s portal https://semakan ­rebat.mestecc.gov.my or by calling the My Government Call Centre (MyGCC) at 03-8000 8000.

They can also check for eligibility by calling the Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) careline 1-300-88-5454 or directly at the nearest Kedai Tenaga.

Consumers in Sabah can call the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) helpline 088-515 000/15454 while in Sarawak, consumers can call the Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) customer careline 1-300-88-3111.

Eligible e-Kasih users who do not have a registered account with TNB, SESB or SEB can apply for a third party account by filling the application form at the nearest Kedai Tenaga TNB, SESB office or SEB office and attach a copy of their identity card as supporting document.

Those who do not qualify after verification but wish to register in the e-Kasih programme can refer to the state’s Federal Development Office. — Bernama