Shafie questions Sabah electricity tariff hike amid supply issues

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 6): Warisan president Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal has questioned the Sabah government’s decision to raise electricity tariffs when power supply remains unreliable and living costs are already high.

“The government has described the increase as inevitable and minimal. Such assurances, however, cannot replace accountability when basic services have yet to meet acceptable standards,” Shafie said.

“The government says the increase is inevitable and minimal. However, when basic services fail, people should not be asked to pay more,” he added in a statement on Friday.

Shafie reminded that the increase was not just about higher electricity bills for households and industries.

“It will raise operating costs for businesses, push up prices of goods and services, weaken small businesses and reduce household spending power across Sabah,” he warned.

He said the real issue was whether the government had addressed the root problems in Sabah’s power system before passing the cost on to consumers.

“Sabah depends heavily on Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Many power supply contracts were signed years ago and should be reviewed to ensure Sabah is not paying more than it should,” he reminded.

Warisan urged the state government to clearly explain how the new tariff was calculated, review IPP agreements and improve efficiency and management within Sabah Electricity, Shafie added.

He also said that electricity is a basic necessity.

“Sabahans should not be asked to pay more while supply problems persist.”