By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 13: After spending RM1.28 billion, the Sarawak government has officially discontinued subsidising Sarawakians’ electricity bills under various packages of the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS).
Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi made the announcement while delivering his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) today.
“During the recent outbreak of Covid-19, the Sarawak government has extended the electricity bill discount initiative to ease the burden of the people in the face of the challenges posed by the pandemic.
“A total of RM1.28 billion has been spent on the initiative. Since the situation has returned to normal, the BKSS electricity bill discount that expired on December 31, 2023, will no longer be continued,” said Julaihi, who is Sebuyau assemblyman (GPS-PBB).
Apart from that, he pointed out that Sarawak’s average electricity tariff is the cheapest in Malaysia.
“The average rate of electricity tariff in Sarawak is 28.05 sen per kilowatt-hour. Compared to 34.5 sen per kilowatt-hour in Sabah and 40 sen per kilowatt-hour in Peninsular Malaysia, this rate is the lowest in Malaysia and is among the lowest rates in the region,” he said. — DayakDaily
