KOTA KINABALU: An opposition assemblyman has urged the Sabah government to review or defer a new state electricity tariff hike, citing it as a burden on the public amid rising living costs.
Kepayan assemblyman Chin Tek Ming from Parti Warisan said the increase would hit ordinary households, low-income earners, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
“Electricity is a basic household and operational cost. Any increase will inevitably have a ripple effect, pushing up the prices of goods and services,” he said.
Chin was commenting on Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd’s decision to raise tariffs from 34.52sen per kilowatt-hour to 39.70sen per kilowatt-hour starting Sunday (Feb 1).
He urged the state government and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd to re-examine the decision or defer it in favour of more effective mitigation and assistance measures for low-income households and vulnerable groups.
“Electricity is an essential public service. Both the government and utility providers have a responsibility to ensure a stable supply while taking into account the people’s ability to cope, so as not to further undermine livelihoods under mounting economic pressure,” he said.
On Saturday, Sabah Electricity said the tariff revision was aimed at ensuring a stable, high-quality and sustainable electricity supply for the state, while safeguarding consumers’ interests.
Hajiji Noor had said the increase was inevitable but assured that it would be minimal.
However, Chin questioned whether the utility had first reviewed its internal operational efficiency, reduced unnecessary expenditure and explored alternative solutions to power supply challenges without passing the cost on to consumers.
“While the reasons given may sound reasonable, the public has a right to know whether all other options were exhausted before this increase was imposed,” he said.
Chin also expressed regret over what he described as a lack of adequate public consultation on a decision with wide-ranging implications, calling on Sabah Electricity to explain the necessity of the hike, how the new rates were calculated, and its concrete plans to improve the power supply system.
“At a time when people are grappling with inflation and slow income growth, raising electricity tariffs will only add to their hardship,” he added.
