Latest news with #SamuelWong
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
No hidden electricity tariff increases: ECoS
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 Text Size: It was responding to claims by Kota Kinabalu Warisan Division Information Chief Samuel Wong (left) of alleged hidden tariff increases. Kota Kinabalu: The Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) said the electricity tariffs in Sabah has remained unchanged since the last revision in 2014. It was responding to claims by Kota Kinabalu Warisan Division Information Chief Samuel Wong of alleged hidden tariff increases. ECoS, in a statement, dismissed claims regarding alleged hidden increases through the tiered rate structure, clarifying that the current tariff rates are still in effect from the 2014 revision. Consumers are charged 47 sen per kilowatt-hour for usage exceeding 1,000 units monthly, applicable to bills above RM383. The Commission invited Samuel and other concerned members of the public to submit any irregular electricity bills that do not comply with the official tariff rates for investigation. ECoS assured that any errors or negligence by Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd would be thoroughly investigated and corrected. Advertisement To enhance transparency, ECoS encouraged consumers to use its official complaints platform, Talk2ECoS, particularly when they cannot obtain satisfactory responses from electricity providers. The Commission reaffirmed its dedication to protecting consumer rights and ensuring fair electricity pricing while supporting initiatives to improve the reliability and sustainability of Sabah's power supply. Current tariff schedules for Sabah and Labuan can be accessed through Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd's website. * 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
4 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
No hidden increases of power tariff in Sabah - ECoS
KOTA KINABALU (June 24): The Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) refers to a recent statement made by Warisan Kota Kinabalu Division Information Chief, Samuel Wong, regarding alleged hidden increases in electricity tariffs through the tiered rate structure. ECoS wishes to state that the tariff structure and rates have not been revised since the last tariff revision in 2014. The schedule of tariff structure and rates for Sabah and Labuan (effective 1 January 2014) can be obtained from Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd's website. Consumers are reassured that they will only be charged the rate of 47 sen/kWh for units above 1,000 units, i.e. monthly bill above RM383, and this has been in effect since 1 January 2014. Samuel, or any concerned member of the public, are urged to present abnormal bills not in accordance with the gazetted tariff blocks and rates to ECoS for investigation. If there is any error or negligence on the part of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SE), ECoS will investigate and rectify accordingly. In the interest of transparency and accountability, ECoS strongly encourages the public to use its official complaints and clarification platform, Talk2ECoS, especially in cases where consumers are unable to receive adequate responses from licensees such as SE. ECoS reiterates its commitment to safeguard consumer rights and ensure fair electricity pricing, while continuing to support efforts that strengthen the reliability and sustainability of Sabah's power supply.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
No 'hidden' power tariff hikes, says Sabah Energy Commission
KOTA KINABALU: There are no hidden increases in electricity charges in Sabah, says the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS). In a statement on Tuesday (June 24), ECoS stressed that the tariff structure and rates have not been revised since the last revision in 2014. It also said the tariff structure and rate schedule for Sabah and Labuan, effective since Jan 1, 2014, can be obtained from Sabah Electricity's website. Its statement came after Parti Warisan's Kota Kinabalu division information chief Samuel Wong claimed that there were hidden increases in electricity tariffs through the tiered rate structure. 'Consumers are assured that they will only be charged the rate of 47 sen per kilowatt-hour for consumption above 1,000 units, meaning monthly bills above RM383. This has been in effect since Jan 1, 2014,' ECoS said. ALSO READ: Warisan urges explanation of 'hidden' tariff hikes in Sabah It said that Wong or any concerned citizen may present any unusual bills that do not follow gazetted tariff blocks and rates to ECoS for investigation. 'If there is any error or negligence on the part of Sabah Electricity, ECoS will investigate and rectify accordingly. 'In the interests of transparency and accountability, ECoS encourages the public to use its official complaints and clarification platform, Talk2ECoS, especially in cases where consumers are unable to receive adequate responses from licensees such as Sabah Electricity,' it added. ECoS said it was committed to safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring fair electricity pricing, while continuing to support efforts that strengthen the reliability and sustainability of Sabah's power supply. Earlier, Wong called on the government to address what he claimed were hidden tariff hikes in Sabah through a quietly restructured tiered billing system. He said that although the state recently announced a six-month waiver of the electricity surcharge under the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through (ICPT) mechanism, Sabahans were still experiencing rising bills because of a more complicated and punishing tier structure. He said while the government said there was no surcharge, consumer bills told a different story via subtle changes to how electricity usage was charged, calling it a disguised price hike. Wong said that in 2022, there were five usage tiers ranging from RM0.175 to RM0.450 per 100 units but by this year, the structure expanded to seven tiers, with a new highest rate of RM0.470 per 100 units.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Warisan urges explanation of ‘hidden' tariff hikes in Sabah
Warisan Kota Kinabalu division information chief Samuel Wong has called for transparency over Sabah's electricity tariff structure, alleging hidden rate hikes under the tiered billing system. KOTA KINABALU: The city's Warisan branch has urged the state government to address what it claims are hidden electricity tariff hikes in Sabah through a quietly restructured tiered billing system. Its information chief, Samuel Wong said that although the state recently announced a six-month waiver of the electricity surcharge under the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through (ICPT) mechanism, Sabahans are still experiencing rising bills due to a more complicated and punishing tier structure. 'The government says there's no surcharge, but our bills tell a different story. What Sabahans are facing is a hidden tariff hike, not through official announcements, but via subtle changes to how electricity usage is charged,' he said in a statement. He explained that in 2022, there were five usage tiers ranging from RM0.175 to RM0.450 per 100 units. However, by 2025, the structure expanded to seven tiers, with a new highest rate of RM0.470 per 100 units. 'This expansion and reshuffling of thresholds means ordinary households are now more likely to hit the highest rate even with moderate usage. It's a disguised price hike,' he said. Wong contrasted Sabah's situation with upcoming reforms in Peninsular Malaysia, where the tiered system will be scrapped by July 2025 in favour of real-time tariff reviews based on actual fuel prices and foreign exchange rates. 'The peninsula is seeing meaningful reform. What about us in Sabah? Is the GRS-Pakatan Harapan government even trying to fight for a fair deal for us?' he asked. He also urged the government to abolish the 8% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed on residential electricity usage, calling it a burden on essential needs. 'Electricity is essential. Why are we taxing families who are already overpaying under a broken system?' he said. Wong called on Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) and the state government to fully disclose the current tariff structure and present a clear roadmap for reform. 'Sabahans have paid more than enough. We need answers, we need reform, and we need action now,' he said.
Daily Express
29-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Step up checks on dangerous new piao piao vape: Warisan
Published on: Thursday, May 29, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 29, 2025 Text Size: Samuel claimed that piao piao is circulating through illegal vape sellers and unregulated online platforms, making pre-emptive action essential. - FMT pic (right) for illustration only. Kota Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu Warisan Information Chief Samuel Wong called for stricter inspections on vape shops, nightlife venues and border checkpoints to prevent a dangerous new vaping substance known as piao piao from entering Sabah. He made the call following viral videos from Peninsular Malaysia showing users suffering severe reactions, including seizures, loss of bodily control and even fatalities. In one case, a 50-year-old man in Johor died after allegedly using a vape laced with the synthetic drug. 'This is a serious threat,' said Samuel, in a statement, Wednesday. 'Sabah has no reported cases yet, but without stronger enforcement, it is only a matter of time before this deadly substance reaches our communities,' he said. He claimed that piao piao is circulating through illegal vape sellers and unregulated online platforms, making pre-emptive action essential. Advertisement 'We must tighten checks now at shops, clubs and borders before this drug infiltrates our State,' he said. Samuel urged the public, especially young people, against taking the risks, saying 'Do not try it, not even once. It is not worth risking your life. Think of your family and your future.' 'We hope Sabah stays untouched by this wave. But hope alone is not enough, we need swift action from the authorities and personal responsibility from every citizen,' he said. * 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
