Decision not to increase electricity tariff shows govt's concern for people's welfare, says Annuar Musa

JOHOR BARU: The move not to increase electricity tariffs, which would affect more than nine million domestic consumers in the country, shows that the government’s main focus is on the welfare of the people, says Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pic).

The Communications and Multimedia Minister said the government felt the burden of those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, which led to many losing their jobs and businesses, and made worse by the recent floods.

He said it was not an easy decision by the government as it meant the government had to continue to subside the cost of electricity.

"When there is no increase, it means the government has to find other funds to provide subsidies so that Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) remains a 'viable' generator," he told reporters after appearing as a guest on a Johor FM programme at the Johor Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) here Saturday (Jan 29).

Also present were Bernama chief executive officer Datuk Mokhtar Hussain and Malaysia Broadcasting director-general Datuk Che Roslan Che Daud.

According to Annuar, after TNB made a recommendation to raise the electricity tariffs for domestic consumers, following the increase in fuel prices, the Cabinet had held six discussions, which led to a final decision made last Wednesday (Jan 26) to maintain the electricity tariff rates.

"We have to look at various angles, the shareholders, the sustainability of TNB itself, and after lengthy discussions, the Cabinet under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob opined that the tariff cannot be increased," he added.

Annuar, who is also Ketereh MP, said this when asked about the Prime Minister’s announcement Friday (Jan 28) that there would be no increase in electricity tariffs for the nine million domestic users in the country.

Ismail Sabri also said the government will continue with subsidies of more than RM700mil so that domestic consumers will not be affected. - Bernama