Licensing fees to ensure safe, accountable use of gensets: LDP
Published on: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Published on: Thu, May 22, 2025 Text Size: Nicholas emphasised that with Sabah now managing its own electricity sector through the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024, ECoS is continuing the same enforcement measures to ensure safe and accountable use of generator sets. - Pic (right) Credit: Genset Malaysia, for illustration only. Kota Kinabalu: The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) said enforcement efforts by the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) on genset licensing fees in Sabah are rooted in safety and legal compliance, not in penalising the public. LDP Publicity Chief Nicholas Ban Wai Tzhing said the genset licensing requirements are not new regulations introduced by the state but have long been mandated under the Electricity Supply Act 1990, previously enforced by the federal Suruhanjaya Tenaga. He emphasised that with Sabah now managing its own electricity sector through the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024, ECoS is continuing the same enforcement measures to ensure safe and accountable use of generator sets. 'Compliance with genset licensing isn't about penalising anyone, it's about safety and accountability. Unlicensed or sub-standard gensets can pose serious risks, including fires, electrical overloads, or even electrocution,' he said in a statement, Tuesday. LDP also moved to debunk claims of exorbitant new fees, clarifying that the actual annual licensing charges by ECoS range from as low as RM30 up to a maximum of RM3,000, depending on the generator's capacity. 'These fees are unchanged from federal-era rates and are now simply collected by the State,' Nicholas said.
Advertisement He denied social media claims that ECoS imposes a RM25,000 genset fee, explaining that such figures usually refer to private contractor costs for compliance works and not licensing fees paid to the government. 'Payments in the RM20,000–RM25,000 range typically cover technical services provided by licensed electrical contractors not ECoS. 'These may include proper grounding, safety equipment, certified testing, and engineering support for commissioning,' he said. LDP noted that such costs are standard for larger commercial or industrial installations and are not a new phenomenon introduced under ECoS. Addressing the political narrative that widespread genset ownership signals a failing power grid, Nicholas described this as 'a distorted view.' He said that standby generators are a common feature in commercial and critical infrastructure worldwide, including Peninsular Malaysia. 'Hospitals, malls, data centres and offices all use standby gensets to avoid operational disruptions. This is standard practice, not evidence of grid collapse,' he said. LDP warned against politicising the issue and urged the public not to mistake prudent risk management for a systemic failure of the electricity supply system. Nicholas reaffirmed LDP's full support for the GRS-led government's energy reform agenda and the ongoing regulatory role of ECoS. He also emphasised that lawful registration and safe installation of gensets is part of Sabah's journey toward a more accountable and resilient power system. 'Portraying technical compliance as a financial burden is misleading and irresponsible. Let's focus on strengthening the system rather than sowing confusion,' he said. The party also encouraged genset owners to make use of ECoS's online registration portal and certified contractor directory to avoid unnecessary costs and ensure installations meet safety standards. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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