By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Oct 9: The Sarawak government will continue the monthly electricity bill discount initiative under the Sarawakku Sayang Special Aid, also known as BKSS, from July 1 to Dec 31, 2023, with discounts of up to 25 per cent for domestic consumers, 15 per cent for small commercial traders, and 10 per cent for small industrial traders.
Utility and Telecommunications (MUT) Sarawak Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi stated that the previous subsidy ended in June of this year and that the State government will now extend the discount for an additional six months.
“The discount will be included in the December 2023 bill for electricity consumption from July to Oct 2023.
“The electricity consumption for the months of November and December will be discounted in November and December, respectively, and then in January 2024. This is because the usage in December will be included in the following month’s billing cycle,” he said during a press conference held today at the LCDA tower.
He stated that Sarawak Energy Berhad’s (Sarawak Energy) special task force will make necessary adjustments and calculations to ensure customers can receive their discounts starting in July of this year.
The Utility minister further remarked that 700,000 consumers across Sarawak would benefit from the special bill discount assistance.
He added that the total discount from July 1 to Dec 31, 2023, is expected to be RM203.7 million.
“Discounts estimated to be worth RM123 million for domestic consumers and RM80.7 million for small traders will be fully borne by the Sarawak government.”
Julaihi also mentioned that small traders such as workshops, coffee shops, shops, restaurants, and hawker stalls can apply for monthly bill discounts by submitting an application to Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy) until December 31, 2023.
“Eligibility for this discount is dependent on electricity consumption not exceeding 30,000kWh for the period from July 1 to Dec 31, 2023, and limited to users of tariff category C1 (commercial business normal) and I1 (normal industry). That means 5,000 kWh per month on average. The capping is 30,000 kWh for six months,” he added. — DayakDaily
