Latest news with #ElectricitySupplyEnactment2024
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
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.
Borneo Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Generator registration: No new fees, only safety checks, says ECoS
Nasser KOTA KINABALU (May 15): The Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) has issued an important clarification regarding the procedures and requirements for registering electrical installations across the state, in accordance with the recently implemented Electricity Supply Enactment 2024. In a statement released on Thursday, Datuk Ir. Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid, Chief Executive Officer of ECoS, emphasised that the requirement for standby generator owners to register their installations is not a new policy but a continuation of regulations previously enforced by the Energy Commission (ST) under the Electricity Supply Act 1990. 'Registration serves as a critical mechanism for ECoS to verify installation safety through thorough documentation review, assessment of installation processes, testing by qualified personnel, and inspection visits where necessary,' explained Nasser. Addressing widespread concerns about costs, he clarified that ECoS only charges a single annual fee as stipulated in the Electricity Supply Regulations 2024, maintaining the same fee structure previously applied by ST. These fees are scaled based on installation capacity, ranging from RM30 for installations of 10kW or less, up to RM3,000 for those exceeding 5,000kW. Nasser strongly refuted claims circulating on social media platforms suggesting exorbitant charges imposed by ECoS. 'The figures being quoted in viral videos likely represent fees charged by private consultants or contractors hired by installation owners to conduct testing and prepare documentation. These payments do not go to ECoS, which operates as a regulatory body, not a commercial enterprise,' he stressed. The CEO further explained that market forces determine consultant and contractor fees, which are negotiated directly between asset owners and service providers. To help owners secure competitive rates, ECoS maintains a comprehensive directory of certified contractors and consultants on its official website. For installations that were previously registered with ST and have maintained their original configuration, Nasser assured owners that a simple declaration would suffice, without the need to resubmit previously filed documentation such as Form G (completion certification), Form H (test certification) and single line diagrams. 'We're committed to making this process as straightforward as possible,' Nasser added. 'Owners can complete the registration process independently through our ECoS Online System portal, potentially eliminating the need for costly third-party assistance.' The Commission encourages the public to contact ECoS directly with any questions or concerns about the registration process, emphasising that safety remains their paramount priority in ensuring all electrical installations throughout Sabah adhere to established safety standards.
