Treat Sabah Electricity fairly, says consumer group

The Star

26-04-2025

KOTA KINABALU: The National Consumer Foundation Malaysia (YPNM) Sabah has urged the public and state leaders not to scapegoat Sabah Electricity (SE) for every power-related issue.
The group said that there is a need for constructive engagement over blame.
YPNM Sabah chairman David Chan said that while criticism is welcome, it should come with positive suggestions and recognise the improvements SE has already implemented.
'SE should not be treated as a punching bag. A fair and balanced perspective is crucial when addressing power supply issues,' he said in a statement following SE's recent Electricity Supply Application Handbook (ESAH) 2.0 engagement session on Friday (April 25).
During the session, SE introduced the Polished Electricity Application Guidebook, aimed at improving transparency and streamlining the application process for developers and consumers seeking new electricity connections.
Chan also raised concerns over the illegal tapping of electricity, especially in rental properties used for Bitcoin mining.
He said these activities often result in innocent property owners facing unfair consequences.
He welcomed SE's response to the issue, particularly its pledge, through chief retail officer Ahmad Nassaruddin Kamaruzaman, to investigate such cases thoroughly and take legal action against the real culprits based on usage records.
'This is a responsible and just approach that reflects SE's commitment to fairness and consumer rights,' Chan said.
He also acknowledged SE's recent efforts to reduce power disruptions across the state, including quicker response times and improved restoration services.
'We look forward to continuing our collaboration with SE and state authorities to build a reliable and consumer-friendly electricity system in Sabah,' he added.