Latest news with #ElectricitySupplyAct1990
Daily Express
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Genset licensing enforcement is safety, not punishment
KOTA KINABALU (May 21): The enforcement of generator set (genset) licensing fees in Sabah is not a form of punishment, but rather the fulfillment of a legal and safety obligation under Malaysian law, said Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice Youth chief Nilson Lo in addressing continued public confusion and political accusations surrounding the issue. He said recent allegations about exorbitant fees and 'punishing' users were firmly rebutted as misrepresentations of technical requirements. Nilson stressed that genset registration and licensing is a long-established legal requirement, not a new policy by the state. It has been mandated under the Electricity Supply Act 1990 for decades (previously enforced by the Energy Commission at the federal level) and is now administered in Sabah by the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) under the state's Electricity Supply Enactment 2024. 'Compliance with genset licensing isn't about penalising anyone – it's about safety and accountability,' he said. This enforcement ensures proper oversight: all generator installations are documented, tested by qualified personnel, and inspected when necessary to meet required standards. Without such regulatory compliance, unlicensed or sub-standard generator setups could pose serious public hazards – including fire risks, electrical overloads or electrocution accidents. He underscored that the goal is to protect public safety, so framing these measures as 'punishment' is a gross misunderstanding of their true purpose. The statement also set the record straight on licensing fees. Nilson made it clear that ECoS itself only charges modest annual fees for genset licenses, ranging from as low as RM30 up to a maximum of RM3,000 – depending on the generator's capacity. 'ECoS is not introducing new or exorbitant charges. The fee structure remains unchanged from what was previously imposed,' he noted. This means a small backup generator might incur just a RM30 fee, while even the largest industrial gensets (above 5,000 kW) pay around RM3,000 per year – figures that are identical to the former federal rates, now simply collected by the state agency. Any implication that Sabah's government created a new heavy financial burden is therefore false. Nilson firmly refuted the viral claim that ECoS imposes a RM25,000 'genset fee.' He explained that such large amounts are not any licensing fee from ECoS, but rather market-negotiated costs between genset owners and licensed electrical contractors (not unregulated 'runners') for bringing certain installations up to code. 'Reports of RM20,000– RM25,000 costs are misleading – those payments went to private consultants or contractors, not to ECoS itself,' he said. In other words, if a genset owner ended up spending that sum, it usually covered a bundle of technical works and services needed to meet safety requirements – not a government charge. Such contractor-provided works often include: • Proper Earthing Installation: Installing or upgrading the genset's frame/neutral grounding system to meet safety standards. • Drawings & Signage: Preparation of layout diagrams, single-line electrical drawings, and required safety signage for the installation. • Safety Equipment: Provision of insulated rubber matting for switchboards and on-site first aid instruction charts, as required by safety regulations. • Calibration & Testing: Calibration of meters and protective relays, and thorough testing of the genset's safety systems (such as circuit breakers and shutdown mechanisms). • Design & Commissioning Support: Engineering design reviews and coordination of inspection tests during installation commissioning to ensure compliance with the law. Nilson noted that these compliance services are typically required for larger commercial or factory-scale generators, and they were standard practice even during the federal era of Energy Commission oversight. In fact, the fundamental processes, technical standards, and fee ranges have not significantly changed with the shift to ECoS. What has changed is that Sabah now exercises its own regulatory authority (and retains the revenue locally) as part of the GRS-led devolution of powers – a development the party views as positive. Therefore, portraying the current enforcement as a new or arbitrary 'RM25k state penalty' is highly misleading. The statement advised genset owners that ECoS's actual role and charges are being misconstrued: ECoS even provides a public directory of certified contractors and an online registration system so that owners can avoid unnecessary middlemen costs by dealing directly. The LDP Vice Youth Chief also addressed the opposition's narrative that the prevalence of gensets implies Sabah's ower grid has 'collapsed.' He rejected this claim as a distorted political narrative. Standby generators are a standard precaution in industry and commerce worldwide – including in Peninsular Malaysia – and their use in Sabah does not mean the grid is beyond hope. Even in regions with generally reliable supply, critical facilities and businesses maintain backup gensets to protect against any outages. 'Hospitals, data centres, shopping malls, hotels, office complexes – you name it – all rely on standby generators as a prudent safeguard to ensure uninterrupted operations,' Nilson noted. In fact, Malaysia has a robust market for backup gensets, with businesses across the country considering backup power solutions indispensable to avoid losses during power interruption. Seen in this context, many Sabahan businesses owning gensets is a sign of responsible risk management and resilience, not evidence that the government has failed the electricity supply. Using genset ownership as a political weapon – to claim the entire Sabah grid has 'collapsed' – is irresponsible and inaccurate, Nilson asserted. In closing, he reiterated that he stands firmly by ECoS and the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led government's reform agenda in the energy sector. Ensuring every genset is lawfully registered and safely installed is part of building a more reliable power system for Sabah, not an attempt to burden the people. He urged all parties to stop misrepresenting technical compliance measures as a political burden and to refrain from needlessly alarming the public.
Daily Express
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
ECoS refutes claims on exorbitant fees
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 Text Size: Abdul Nasser also assured owners of installations previously registered under the former Energy Commission (ST) and which have retained their original configuration. Kota Kinabalu: The Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) refuted claims in social media that it imposed exorbitant fees for electrical installation registrations. ECoS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ir Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid said the figures quoted in several viral videos likely reflect charges imposed by private consultants or contractors and not ECoS. Advertisement 'These payments do not go to ECoS, which is a regulatory authority, not a commercial entity,' he stressed. He explained that consultant and contractor fees are determined by market forces and negotiated directly between installation owners and their chosen service providers. To assist consumers, ECoS provides a comprehensive directory of certified consultants and contractors on its official website, enabling owners to make informed and competitive choices. Abdul Nasser also assured owners of installations previously registered under the former Energy Commission (ST) and which have retained their original configuration. In such cases, a simple declaration will suffice — without the need to re-submit documents such as Form G (completion certificate), Form H (testing certificate) or single-line diagrams. 'We are committed to making the registration process as clear and accessible as possible,' he said. 'Owners can complete the process independently via the ECoS Online System portal, which could reduce the need for costly third-party assistance.' The clarification comes amid increased public attention following the implementation of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024, which mandates the registration of electrical installations, including standby generators. Nasser stressed that this requirement is not new, but a continuation of existing regulations previously enforced by ST under the Electricity Supply Act 1990. 'Registration is essential for verifying installation safety. 'It allows ECoS to review documentation, assess processes and carry out inspections or testing by qualified personnel when needed,' he said. Addressing public concern over costs, Nasser reiterated that ECoS imposes only one annual registration fee, as outlined under the Electricity Supply Regulations 2024. The rates remain unchanged from the previous structure under ST, ranging from RM30 for installations below 10kW, to RM3,000 for those above 5,000kW. The Commission encourages the public to reach out directly for any clarifications, reiterating that safety remains the top priority in ensuring all installations across Sabah comply with regulated standards. Parti Warisan's Tanjung Aru Assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong claimed that the Sabah GRS-PH government was burdening businesses and households with unnecessary generator registration fees, instead of focusing on fixing the state's power issues. In his social media post, Wong listed alleged costs, including a RM2,000 licence application fee, RM2,000 to RM6,500 for drawing submission, RM2,500 to RM10,000 for G and H forms, and RM500 to RM1,000 for annual licence renewals, questioning why these fees were being imposed during challenging economic times. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Genset registration rule around since 1990, Sabah Energy Commission says amid outcry
KOTA KINABALU: The registration of standby generator sets (gensets) is not a new policy but a continuation of long-standing regulations under the Electricity Supply Act 1990, says the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS). Its chief executive officer, Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid ( pic ), said the regulation is now enforced through the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024. This comes amid an outcry over the need to register gensets, with state opposition Parti Warisan accusing the Sabah government of penalising business owners "for trying to keep the lights on". Nasser stressed that registration is a safety mechanism to ensure compliance through proper documentation, qualified testing, and inspections when necessary. ALSO READ: Claims excessive fees charged for generator registration in Sabah not accurate, says consumer group chairman 'ECoS is not introducing new or exorbitant charges," he said in a statement on Thursday (May 15). "The annual registration fee structure remains unchanged from what was previously imposed... ranging from RM30 for small installations up to RM3,000 for those exceeding 5,000kW." Nasser addressed viral claims suggesting costs of up to RM25,000, saying these figures could reflect payments made to private consultants or contractors, not ECoS itself. 'To help reduce costs, ECoS provides a directory of certified contractors and consultants on its website. "Owners can also register independently through the ECoS Online System without needing to engage third parties,' he added. For gensets previously registered under Suruhanjaya Tenaga with no configuration changes, Nasser said a simple declaration is enough, without having to re-submit earlier documents such as Forms G and H, or single-line diagrams. ALSO READ: Special state assembly passes laws for Sabah to map its own energy needs Warisan vice president Datuk Junz Wong said the registration policy was 'totally ridiculous', accusing authorities of punishing Sabahans for a failed power supply system. 'Do you think people are buying gensets for fun? They are doing it out of necessity because SESB cannot guarantee reliable electricity," he said in a statement. Wong said the ruling would impact businesses, especially those in the food and manufacturing sectors, as they need an uninterrupted power supply to operate. 'These businesses face real financial losses during blackouts. Now they are being penalised for trying to keep their lights on,' he said. Wong urged the government to withdraw the policy or at least delay implementation until Sabah Electricity can ensure stable power across Sabah. 'Fix the root cause first. This policy is... unfair to people who are just trying to cope,' he said. Wong had earlier made a social media post that listed alleged costs, including a RM2,000 licence application fee, RM2,000 to RM6,500 for diagram submission, RM2,500 to RM10,000 for Forms G and H, and RM500 to RM1,000 for annual licence renewals, questioning why these fees were being imposed during challenging economic times. On Wednesday (May 14), the National Consumer Foundation Malaysia (Sabah Chapter) said the claim was not accurate as ECoS does not charge the application fee. It said consumers can apply directly through the official ECoS website without any charges.
Daily Express
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
No new fees, just continuation of existing power regulations: Ecos
Published on: Thursday, May 15, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 15, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: The Energy Commission of Sabah (Ecos) has clarified that the registration of standby generators is not a new requirement but a continuation of existing regulations under the Electricity Supply Act 1990. Ecos CEO Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid ( pic ) said registration is essential for verifying safety through documentation checks, professional testing, and inspections where needed. Advertisement He assured the public that Ecos only charges a single annual fee based on installation capacity, ranging from RM30 to RM3,000, maintaining the previous fee structure under the former federal regulator. Nasser dismissed viral social media claims of high charges, stating that the quoted figures are likely fees from private consultants, not from Ecos, which functions solely as a regulator. He added that previous registrations with unchanged configurations require only a declaration, and urged owners to use the EcosOnline System to self-register and reduce unnecessary consultancy costs. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
