KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans should not be asked to pay more for unstable electricity supply, says Parti Warisan.
Its president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said that with power supply being a basic necessity, it should be consistent and reliable before the people are made to pay extra, because living costs were already high enough.
"The government has described the increase as inevitable and minimal.
"Such assurances, however, cannot replace accountability when basic services have yet to meet acceptable standards," he said on Friday (Feb 6) in questioning the decision to raise electricity tariffs amid persisting supply issues.
Shafie added that when basic services fail, people should not be asked to pay more.
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He said this increase was not just about higher electricity bills for households and industries, as it would also raise operating costs for businesses, push up the prices of goods and services, weaken small businesses, and reduce household spending power across Sabah.
"The real issue is whether or not the government has fixed the root problems in Sabah’s power system before passing the cost to consumers," he said.
Shafie said Sabah depends heavily on independent power producers (IPPs) and that power supply contracts signed years ago should be reviewed to ensure Sabah is not paying more than it should.
"We urge the state government to explain clearly how the new tariff was calculated, review IPP agreements and improve efficiency and management within Sabah Electricity," he said.
Sabah’s electricity tariff was raised by 15% from Feb 1.
