Latest news with #RM55mil
The Star
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Majority unaffected by new TNB billing structure
EIGHTY-FIVE percent of the population in Peninsular Malaysia will not be impacted by the new electricity tariff structure that came into effect on July 1, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof ( pic ). Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said this is because a significant portion of domestic users, as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), are eligible for rebates. 'The key focus now is to promote efficient energy use. Those who consume energy more efficiently will be eligible for rebates,' he said during the oral question-and-answer session. Announced on June 20, the new tariff is designed to reflect actual supply costs and ensure fairer cost distribution. Unlike the previous system, it introduces multiple components such as capacity charges, network charges and retail charges, and shifts billing from an economic sector-based rate to one based on voltage connection levels. 'This approach enhances transparency. The government has put in place safeguards so the impact on domestic users remains minimal. In fact, domestic users consuming 600kWh or less monthly will be exempt from paying retail charges,' he said. Those consuming up to 1,000kWh will also receive energy efficiency incentives, while MSMEs using less than 200kWh monthly will benefit from similar assistance. These measures, he said, are intended to help businesses manage operational costs without passing them on to consumers. Fadillah stressed that the role of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) as a public listed company includes maintaining investor confidence while reinvesting profits into critical upgrades, especially in accommodating the growing share of renewable energy. 'Much of this profit will go back into upgrading the grid system to ensure reliable and affordable electricity. If the grid isn't improved, it won't be able to receive renewable energy, affecting energy security,' he said. He also assured that the government will continue the RM40 Electricity Bill Rebate Programme for hardcore poor households registered under the e-Kasih system, with RM55mil allocated for this year. In addition, the government is offering rebates for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances such as four- or five-star-rated air conditioners and refrigerators. 'When people choose energy-saving devices, they'll be rewarded with rebates at the point of purchase,' he said. Fadillah also encouraged eligible consumers to sign up for the 'time of use' electricity pricing scheme, where rates are cheaper during off-peak hours. However, this requires a smart meter to be installed and activated by TNB. To support this, the government is fast-tracking the rollout of smart meters nationwide. 'Whether in urban or rural areas, those who use energy wisely – particularly households that stay within 600kWh – can benefit from various incentives,' he said. Separately, the Cabinet has approved the implementation of an Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) mechanism to replace the existing Imbalance Cost Pass-Through (ICPT). Unlike the ICPT, which adjusted fuel costs every six months, AFA will be revised monthly, with increases above 10% from the previous month requiring ministerial approval.
The Star
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
85% of peninsula users won't be impacted by new power tariff, says Fadillah
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has identified that 85% of the population in Peninsular Malaysia will not be impacted by the new electricity tariff structure that came into effect on July 1, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said this is because a significant portion of domestic users, as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), are eligible for rebates. 'The key focus now is to promote efficient energy use. Those who consume energy more efficiently will be eligible for rebates,' he said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 23). The new tariff structure, announced on June 20, is designed to reflect actual supply costs and ensure fairer cost distribution. Unlike the previous system, it introduces multiple components such as energy charges, capacity charges, network charges, and retail charges, and shifts from an economic sector-based rate to one based on voltage connection levels. 'This approach enhances transparency. The government has put in place safeguards so the impact on domestic users remains minimal. In fact, domestic users consuming 600 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or less monthly will be exempt from paying retail charges,' he said. Those consuming up to 1,000 kWh will also receive energy efficiency incentives, while MSMEs using less than 200 kWh monthly will benefit from similar assistance. These measures, he said, are intended to help businesses manage operational costs without passing them on to consumers. Fadillah stressed that the role of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) as a publicly listed company includes maintaining investor confidence while reinvesting profits into critical upgrades, especially in accommodating the growing share of renewable energy. 'Much of this profit will go back into upgrading the grid system to ensure reliable and affordable electricity. If the grid isn't improved, it won't be able to receive renewable energy, affecting energy security,' he said. He also assured that the government will continue the RM40 Electricity Bill Rebate Programme for hardcore poor households registered under the e-Kasih system, with RM55mil allocated for this year. In addition, the government is offering rebates for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances such as four- or five-star-rated air conditioners and refrigerators. 'When people choose energy-saving devices, they'll be rewarded with rebates at the point of purchase,' he said. Fadillah also encouraged eligible consumers to sign up for the 'time of use' electricity pricing scheme, where rates are cheaper during off-peak hours. However, this requires a smart meter to be installed and activated by TNB. To support this, the government is fast-tracking the rollout of smart meters nationwide. 'Whether in urban or rural areas, those who use energy wisely—particularly households that stay within 600 kWh—can benefit from various incentives,' he said. Separately, the Cabinet has approved the implementation of an Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) mechanism to replace the existing Imbalance Cost Pass-Through (ICPT). Unlike the ICPT, which adjusted fuel costs every six months, the AFA will adjust monthly. However, increases above 10% from the previous month will require ministerial approval.
The Star
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Nanta: East-West Highway safety works are coming
GERIK: The Works Ministry is preparing a road condition assessment (PCA) report to facilitate maintenance and paving work on the Gerik-Jeli route of the East-West Highway (JRTB) to be carried out soon, says its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (pic). He said the PCA is being done 'according to the latest, modern and internationally applicable methods'. 'However, all the facilities and methods used depend on the allocations given, especially in building and repairing roads,' he said during a visit to the location of the bus crash that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students. Nanta previously announced that the crash location was among the sections along the highway that had been identified for upgrading work this year, with an allocation of RM55mil. The minister also said that various initiatives had been put in place since 2023 to improve the Gerik-Jeli route, especially on the FT04 federal road, Bernama reported. He said funds totalling RM80mil were also allocated to cover 55 scopes of work under the periodic pavement maintenance programme, which aims to ensure that the route on the JRTB is in good condition. Nanta added that RM3.58mil was allocated for the street light and signal light maintenance project involving the maintenance of traffic lights and the installation of solar lights along the JRTB, which will begin next month. He said the installation of solar-powered lights would also involve the location of the fatal bus crash. 'This project is currently in the procurement process by the Perak Public Works Department, and is expected to be completed by the end of October,' the minister said.
The Star
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Gerik highway to receive safety upgrades following tragic bus crash, says Nanta
GERIK: The Works Ministry is preparing a report on the Pavement Condition Assessment to facilitate maintenance and paving work on the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway, set to begin soon. Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi stated that the assessment uses technologies like multi-laser profiler, falling weight deflectometer, dynamic cone penetrometer, and trial pit. The assessment began on March 13 and was completed on May 13, following modern international methods. However, the facilities and methods used depend on the allocated budget, particularly for road construction and repair, he told reporters on Thursday (June 12) after visiting the site of the June 9 bus crash that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students at KM 53 of the highway. Nanta previously announced that the crash site is among sections of the highway identified for upgrades this year, with an allocation of RM55mil. Various initiatives have been taken since 2023 to improve the Gerik-Jeli route, especially on the FT04 Federal Road, Nanta said. Funds totaling RM80mil were allocated for 55 scopes of work under the Periodic Pavement Maintenance Programme to ensure the highway's good condition. The Work Order approval will be issued based on recommendations from the assessment report, he explained. Additionally, RM3.585mil has been allocated for the Street Light and Signal Light Maintenance Project, involving solar light installation along the highway, set to begin in July. The solar lights will be installed at the crash site. This project is currently in the procurement phase by the Perak Public Works Department and is expected to be completed by the end of October, he added. The ministry assures that all allocations will be used optimally for effective highway maintenance. - Bernama
The Star
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
East-West Highway upgrade on the table, says Perak MB
Promising development: Saarani (centre) attending a Perak Export Day programme at a hotel in Ipoh. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star IPOH: The East-West Highway that connects Perak's Gerik with Kelantan's Jeli is in need of massive upgrades to improve its condition and safety, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The Perak Mentri Besar said state infrastructure committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has been tasked with preparing a working paper detailing things required to improve the road. 'It's high time we look into the highway's alignment and condition,' he said in a press conference after opening Perak Export Day here yesterday. 'The highway was built during (Malaysia's second prime minister) Tun Abdul Razak Hussein's time to stop incursions by communists. 'Mohammad Nizar and the Public Works Department will need to review and list down the things needed to be done, be it to widen the road, the construction materials needed, lines on the road or street lights,' he said, adding that some stretches of the road could no longer be patched up. Fifteen Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students were killed after a bus crashed on the highway on Monday. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the site of the tragedy was already earmarked for rehabilitation this year with an allocation of RM55mil. Saarani said a new hospital is also needed in Gerik to provide treatment to victims due to the high frequency of accidents on the highway. 'Gerik needs a new hospital as well as experts, staff and facilities. A separate paper will be prepared by state health committee A. Sivanesan on this,' he said, adding that both papers will be forwarded to the federal government for consideration to be included in the next Malaysia Plan. 'I will also speak to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on June 15 about the proposals to improve the situation near the highway,' he added.
