Sarawak’s electricity tariffs are currently the lowest in the country, says Utilities Minister Dr Stephen Rundi.
In this respect, he points out that the state government had reduced the rates a couple of times before, including when Sarawak was under the leadership of the fifth chief minister, Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
Known fondly by many as ‘Tok Nan’, Adenan passed away on Jan 11, 2017.
“We reduced our electricity tariffs twice before – during Tok Nan’s time, and another which was announced in March by (present) Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to mitigate the Covid-19 impact.
“Ours is the lowest in the region,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.
Many residents of various ‘resettlement’ zones displaced by Hydroelectric Dams are only too ready to agree with Dr Rundi.
They were promised FREE electricity when they were forced from their homes by rising waters, many over a decade ago. And, indeed, for many of them their tariffs remain ZERO.
However, the reason owes to the fact that no electricity has been provided.
Given such a poor record on its developments goals, despite being by far Malaysia’s most richly resourced state, Sarawak ministers would do well not to start bragging about their record on delivering to the people.