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New Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Dewan Rakyat passes key energy bills to boost power security
KUALA LUMPUR: Laws aimed at enhancing and safeguarding Malaysia's electrical energy security were passed in the Dewan Rakyat today following nearly three hours of debate. The Electricity Supply Act 1990 saw 16 amendments, while the Energy Commission Act 2001 was amended in two key areas — primarily to bolster regulatory powers and oversight relating to the import and export of electricity. Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the amendments to the Electricity Supply Act were intended to strengthen the existing legal framework and facilitate electricity exports to neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Singapore. "The goal is to ensure stability, expand electricity supply options, safeguard the national grid, and guarantee energy security across the three countries in the event of supply disruptions," he said. He said that the two laws were applicable only in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, as electricity supply in Sabah and Sarawak remains under the jurisdiction of their respective state governments. Akmal assured lawmakers that electricity would only be exported when there is a surplus, stressing that domestic supply would remain the government's top priority. "If any disruption occurs, priority will always be given to the national electricity supply," he said during his winding-up speech, adding that Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is currently the sole electricity exporter under a pilot initiative. He also said that the country's national electricity reserves remained at an optimum level, ranging between 23 and 28 per cent. Revenue generated from conventional electricity import and export would be channelled into the Electricity Industry Fund (KWIE), which is regulated by the Energy Commission, he said. "This fund is used to manage the impact of tariffs on the public. Meanwhile, income from cross-border renewable energy trade will be directed to the Green Electricity Fund, which supports Malaysia's energy transition agenda and the development of its renewable energy sector. "All Malaysians will benefit from the KWIE fund, which is supported by revenue from electricity trade," he added. Akmal also said that Malaysia was still constrained by current transmission line capacities. At present, only 300 megawatts (MW) can be transferred between Malaysia and Thailand, while 500MW can be transmitted between Malaysia and Singapore for commercial use, with an additional 500MW allocated for system security. He said the realisation of the Asean Power Grid remained part of Malaysia's long-term plan to enhance national energy security.
New Straits Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
TNB ordered to pay RM547k in late interest to landowner
PUTRAJAYA: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has been ordered to pay RM547,105 in late payment interest to a company for delays in compensating it for land used in a transmission line project. A three-member Court of Appeal panel led by Federal Court judge Datuk Lee Swee Seng said the national utility giant must pay the sum to Lambang Kelana Sdn Bhd after finding that the company had been unfairly deprived of its money for over five years due to administrative delays. Other members of the bench were Court of Appeal judges Datuk Azimah Omar and Datuk Wong Kian Kheong. According to court documents, in 2007, TNB had prematurely entered Lambang Kelana's land without due compliance with wayleave procedures under Section 11 of the Electricity Supply Act to install electrical infrastructure. The section stipulates that utility companies must follow specific procedures before entering private land to install or build electrical infrastructure, including giving formal notice to landowners and paying full compensation for any disturbance or loss of use of the land. Lambang Kelana was neither served the statutory notice nor paid proper compensation for the loss of the portion of land acquired as wayleave for TNB. The dispute led to a protracted legal battle, and TNB only paid RM2.1 million in compensation in 2020. However, the payment did not include any interest for the long delay. In 2021, the Negri Sembilan State Authority decided that Lambang Kelana should receive RM1,369,332.95 in late payment interest for the delay in compensation from October 2015 to December 2020. However, TNB filed a judicial review to challenge the decision in the High Court and succeeded in getting it overturned. Azimah, who delivered the unanimous decision in dismissing the lower court's ruling, said the trial judge had misinterpreted the law by adopting a narrow and literal reading of the relevant provisions. "To deprive the appellant of its rightful late payment charges would certainly transgress upon the appellant's constitutional rights safeguarded under Article 13(2) of the Federal Constitution. "Despite the delay caused by the Land Administrator, TNB was still unjustly enriched by being able to utilise and earn interest on the monies that were supposed to be paid to Lambang Kelana for the entire duration of the delay," she said. The appellate court said any interpretation of the law that allows government authorities or licensees to delay compensation with impunity would be unjust. "We are certain that no statute ever legislated within our nation would promote a statutory authority to delay justice with impunity at the expense of unjust losses incurred against innocent landowners. "If that be the case, then TNB would stand to unjustly benefit by holding onto monies that should have been paid to landowners, courtesy of delays by the Land Administrator. "In the meantime, the Land Administrator would not suffer a single sen for the entire duration of the delay. The only party to suffer losses would be the landowner. "Such an interpretation would truly be absurd and unjust," the court added. The court also did not make any order for costs. Lambang Kelana was represented by lawyers Yeoh Cho Kheong and T. Subbbiah, while lawyer David Dinesh Mathew appeared for TNB.
New Straits Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
TNB ordered to pay RM1.3mil in late interest to landowner
PUTRAJAYA: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has been ordered to pay RM1.3 million in late payment interest to a company for delays in compensating it for land used in a transmission line project. A three-member Court of Appeal panel led by Federal Court judge Datuk Lee Swee Seng said the national utility giant must pay the sum to Lambang Kelana Sdn Bhd after finding that the company had been unfairly deprived of its money for over five years due to administrative delays. Other members of the bench were Court of Appeal judges Datuk Azimah Omar and Datuk Wong Kian Kheong. According to court documents, in 2007, TNB had prematurely entered Lambang Kelana's land without due compliance with wayleave procedures under Section 11 of the Electricity Supply Act to install electrical infrastructure. The section stipulates that utility companies must follow specific procedures before entering private land to install or build electrical infrastructure, including giving formal notice to landowners and paying full compensation for any disturbance or loss of use of the land. Lambang Kelana was neither served the statutory notice nor paid proper compensation for the loss of the portion of land acquired as wayleave for TNB. The dispute led to a protracted legal battle, and TNB only paid RM2.1 million in compensation in 2020. However, the payment did not include any interest for the long delay. In 2021, the Negri Sembilan State Authority decided that Lambang Kelana should receive RM1,369,332.95 in late payment interest for the delay in compensation from October 2015 to December 2020. However, TNB filed a judicial review to challenge the decision in the High Court and succeeded in getting it overturned. Azimah, who delivered the unanimous decision in dismissing the lower court's ruling, said the trial judge had misinterpreted the law by adopting a narrow and literal reading of the relevant provisions. "To deprive the appellant of its rightful late payment charges would certainly transgress upon the appellant's constitutional rights safeguarded under Article 13(2) of the Federal Constitution. "Despite the delay caused by the Land Administrator, TNB was still unjustly enriched by being able to utilise and earn interest on the monies that were supposed to be paid to Lambang Kelana for the entire duration of the delay," she said. The appellate court said any interpretation of the law that allows government authorities or licensees to delay compensation with impunity would be unjust. "We are certain that no statute ever legislated within our nation would promote a statutory authority to delay justice with impunity at the expense of unjust losses incurred against innocent landowners. "If that be the case, then TNB would stand to unjustly benefit by holding onto monies that should have been paid to landowners, courtesy of delays by the Land Administrator. "In the meantime, the Land Administrator would not suffer a single sen for the entire duration of the delay. The only party to suffer losses would be the landowner. "Such an interpretation would truly be absurd and unjust," the court added. The court also did not make any order for costs.
New Straits Times
30-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Police 'lock down' Selayang buildings, screen 1,435 foreigners
KUALA LUMPUR: A multi-agency raid led by federal police in Selayang saw two buildings "locked down" and 1,435 foreigners screened. The vast majority of those screened were from Myanmar, while others were from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Nepal. Some 160 were children. The raid, dubbed "Op Kachi", began at 10.45pm with 560 personnel, including those from the General Operations Force, Immigration Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and Civil Defence Force, closing off all entry and exit points in Selayang Utara. Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department deputy director (General Operations Force) Datuk Mohamad Suzrin Mohamad Rodhi said 225 residential and business units in the two shoplot buildings were raided. "The operation was conducted following two weeks of surveillance based on complaints over the high number of undocumented foreigners in the area. "When we sprang into action last night, some of them even tried to evade our checks by climbing onto rooftops to hide," he told reporters at the scene today. Of those screened, 1,222 were from Myanmar, followed by Bangladesh (142), India (9), Indonesia (4), and Nepal (1). Suzrin said the Myanmar nationals comprised 702 men, 360 women, and 160 children. Many of them were Rohingya holding United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards. He added that the Immigration Department would verify the authenticity of the UNHCR cards. "I've been told that a number of them have been flagged, as scans of their cards yielded negative results. "They will be brought to the Immigration Department office in Putrajaya for further checks," he said. A number of foreigners were subsequently detained, though details were not immediately available. Suzrin said they would also be taking further action against those found employing foreigners without proper permits, as well as individuals providing shelter to undocumented migrants. He added that personnel from the Energy Commission, National Water Services Commission (SPAN), and Tenaga Nasional Berhad who joined the raid also uncovered illegal renovations and unauthorised water and electricity connections in the buildings. "Various offences have been detected under the Electricity Supply Act, Street, Drainage and Building Act, and Local Government Act. Further investigations and enforcement action will be taken by the relevant authorities," he said. This is the second time Bukit Aman has launched a crackdown by locking down an entire area known to be populated by foreigners. In December 2023, over 1,000 officers and members of the GOF surrounded the "Mini Dhaka" area in Jalan Silang.
The Star
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Watch your tenants' utility bills closely'
PETALING JAYA: Revising current laws and introducing a better monitoring system on tenants is a must to curb electricity thefts especially those caused by illegal crypto mining, experts say. There should be a rental database on tenants, said criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy of Universiti Sains Malaysia. 'If a tenant frequently has high utility bills, or if there are reports of electrical theft or meter tampering, he could be flagged in the system for further scrutiny. 'This could help landlords, law enforcement authorities and utility companies prevent illegal mining operations before they become widespread,' he said when contacted . There have been cases of property owners crying foul after they ended up with huge bills when their tenants secretly conducted illegal crypto mining operations, which consumed a lot of electricity. Sundramoorthy said the government should look into amending the Electricity Supply Act to ensure joint responsibility between homeowners and tenants on matters related to electricity consumption. 'By making both parties accountable, it would force tenants to think twice before engaging in illegal activities,' he said. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Comm Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain spoke of a need for a comprehensive approach. Besides a closer multi-agency cooperation to ensure a more coordinated response – from intelligence sharing and inspections to prosecution – he said: 'There should be stricter requirements for building rental oversight, where landlords must verify the background of tenants and their intended business before leasing out commercial or industrial spaces.' Additionally, implementing mandatory energy audits on high-consumption commercial lots could help flag abnormal electricity usage early, he said. 'Moreover, there must be heavier penalties for repeat offenders. Not just fines, but possibly asset seizures or criminal charges where applicable to serve as a stronger deterrent.' He emphasised on public education, too. 'Communities need to understand that electricity theft is not a victimless crime. It leads to higher tariffs for honest consumers, strains the national grid, and poses serious fire and safety hazards to surrounding areas,' he said. Lawyer Alvin Tan Keng Yi said that while no specific protections exist under the law for property owners, several steps may be taken to prevent illegal cryptocurrency mining or electricity theft. This would include provisions in tenancy agreement to require the tenant to register an account with Tenaga Nasional Berhad before the tenancy begins, he said. For example, he said this should specify that the premise must be solely used for residential purpose and that illegal activities are prohibited. 'Before entering into a tenancy agreement, the owners should conduct due diligence. For example, the owner may verify the identity of the tenant by requesting a copy of his identification card, or request pay slip or utility bills to verify personal information. 'For foreign tenants, the owner may request for their employment letter for verification purposes,' he said. Tan said the landlord may initiate civil action against the tenant for any breach of the tenancy agreement in cases of illegal activities on the premises. Senior lawyer Datuk Joy Wilson Appukuttan said there is no legislation that specifically govern landlords and tenants but these parties could determine their rights under their tenancy agreement and general law. 'Any breaches of the tenancy agreement entails the parties to resort to court action for relief and remedies.' He said a comprehensive landlord-tenant law is crucial which includes the setting up of tribunal that will provide immediate relief for landlords to act against errant tenants. Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Thief (Marah) founder Dave Avran concurred, saying that revising current legislation is the way to go. 'It could lead to improved enforcement, empowering the government to tackle the issue effectively.' However, he cautioned that it would not suffice to just revise the law. 'There must be an improvement in the monitoring systems to identify unusual increases in electricity usage,' he said. He called for proper and thorough screenings of potential tenants. 'This is to prevent the property being rented by unscrupulous people.' 'Educating landlords and tenants about the dangers and legal repercussions of illicit crypto mining is also essential,' he said.
