Electricity tariff hike put on hold, says Chin
The tariff revision of electricity rates has been put on hold for now, however, the government will review the rates when the environment is more conducive, says Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister, Peter Chin Fah Kui.
The tariff revision of electricity rates has been put on hold for now, however, the government will review the rates when the environment is more conducive, says Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister, Peter Chin Fah Kui.
"If we go ahead and increase electricity rates it may have an escalating effect on the cost of living and so on. The government has put that on hold first and will give the green light when it (the time) is more suitable," he said.
The government had, in principle, agreed that a tariff revision was necessary as cost had gone up and fuel prices had spiralled, he told reporters after witnessing a signing ceremony between HDC Data Centre and i-City in Shah Alam today.
"The only thing the cabinet does not agree to is, to implement it right away. We have been told to put the proposal on hold until such time when the government feels more suitable," he added.
He said there were many issues the government needed to address before a time could be set for the revision.
Chin also said the cabinet was not scheduled to meet yet on the tariff revision.
'I cannot do anything'
Yesterday, the minister said under the Government Transformation Plan, the government had to roll back subsidies, such as fuel cost.
The government also had to make a decision as to when Tenaga Nasional Bhd was allowed to make the revision and this was not yet confirmed.
"As long as we don't get the date from the Economic Council chaired by the prime minister, I cannot do anything," he explained.
The cabinet had agreed to a electricity tariff revision but had yet to decide on its implementation date.
Meanwhile, on a possible bailout for Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas), Chin said: "There was nothing to bailout. Why do you call it a bailout and why do you consider this a bail out.
"It's nothing to bail out for, what we are doing now is to help the people in Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan and Putrajaya to obtain water.
"And, if I don't help then industries will collapse," he added.
"I also agree, more or less, with Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim that the water issue should be resolved by year-end."
- Bernama
