By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 6: A retired civil servant from Hui Sing Garden is facing the threat of electricity disconnection after being slapped with an arrears bill of RM6,150 by Syarikat SESCO Berhad (SESCO), despite his electricity consumption remaining consistent before and after a meter replacement.
The pensioner, known only as Mr Wee, claimed the ordeal began in June 2023 when SESCO issued a letter alleging that a hole and scratch marks were found on the cover of his electricity meter during a replacement carried out on Jan 3, 2023. Based on this, SESCO initially demanded RM9,300 in backdated charges.
Mr Wee, who has been living in the house since 2009 and consistently paid an average monthly electricity bill of RM110 to RM120, appealed to SESCO five times.
The amount was eventually reduced to RM6,150 but SESCO allegedly warned that power supply would be disconnected if payment is not made.
Seeking help, Mr Wee turned to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak, and his case was taken up by chairman Chong Chieng Jen and special assistant Michael Kong.
Chong, in a press conference video with Mr Wee and Kong today, questioned the validity and fairness of the arrears, pointing out that SESCO’s letter failed to state how inaccurate the old meter was or by what percentage it was allegedly under-recording usage.
“What is shocking is that Mr Wee’s monthly bills before and after the meter change were the same, between RM110 and RM120. So how could SESCO justify an arrears of RM9,300, now reduced to RM6,150?” Chong asked.
He said even if SESCO were to backdate charges for the maximum 36-month period allowed under its guidelines, it would still imply an additional RM200 per month, bringing Mr Wee’s total monthly usage to over RM300, which is not reflected in his billing records.
“Even with the so-called discount, this RM6,150 still suggests he used RM200 to RM300 more every month—on top of what he’s already paying. When I looked at his bills, I said, ‘cannot be’,” Chong added.
Chong also criticised the utility company for lacking compassion in dealing with a retiree who depends on a pension below the minimum wage.
“For SESCO to go so hard on someone like Mr Wee, I think there was no compassion and it’s too oppressive,” he said.
Chong and Kong will be writing formally to SESCO to present the case in detail and appeal for a full waiver of the arrears.
He also pointed out that the old meter, believed to be over 45 years old and possibly original to the house, could have naturally deteriorated due to age, and it was unfair to penalise a consumer over technical faults in outdated equipment. – DayakDaily
