KUCHING: The state government’s decision to reduce electricity tariffs for all domestic customers in the state effective January next year has been met with positive response from elected representatives especially those who represent the rural constituencies.
Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that the move would no doubt benefit the people especially those in the low income group.
“This is very good news for the people of Sarawak particularly those who do not consume a lot of electricity such as people in the villages who may now be exempted from paying the electricity bill.
“This will benefit around 130,000 households. It is also a timely and appropriate move because we have been informed that the profits of Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and Sesco are channeled back to the people,” he said when met at the BN Backbenchers Club Nite at Sarawak Club on Wednesday.
The Asajaya assemblyman also expressed his optimism that the people under his constituency would no doubt be very happy with the decision, which was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem during the final day of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Wednesday.
Engkilili assemblyman Johnical Rayong Nyipa, meanwhile said the state government’s decision proved that the chief minister was serious in helping and solving problems faced by ordinary Sarawakians.
“This is a very good and timely decision and we are all for it,” he added.
Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan also shared the same sentiment, saying the BN government had always been very concerned about the welfare of the people especially those from the rural areas and those in the lower income group.
“This is a huge step for our state government as even though the price of RON95 has gone up recently, at least the electricity bills will be reduced,” he said.
“I hope the people especially those under my constituency will be very happy with what our chief minister has announced.
“We really welcome this decision and hope that more will come… maybe in the future there will be more good news and surprises in store.”
Meanwhile, PKR Women National vice-chief Voon Shiak Ni described the reduction of electricity tariffs as a ‘surprise Christmas and New Year 2015 bonus for Sarawakians’.
“Though the call for this is long overdue, we do appreciate the efforts of our chief minister to do what is necessary to reduce the financial burden of the people,” she said in a statement.
According to her, a report in the mainstream media in 2011 reported that Santubong MP Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who was then Parliament Deputy Speaker, had revealed that Sarawak had the highest electricity tariffs in the country.
“SEB has been profiteering from the industry all these years and Sarawakians rightfully deserve to pay less for the tariffs.
“Though the revision on electricity tariffs should have been done a long time ago, we are glad that our chief minister has proven to be more sensitive to the people’s needs and we applaud his move to reduce the electricity tariffs which will directly benefit the people.”
Voon also called for the same reduction for small and local industries to enable them to be more competitive and to sustain better in coping with the rising costs of production.
“To us, policy of the same are better measures to assist the people as it is a long term measure to address the people’s burden unlike those of one-off cash handouts,” she said.
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