KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) is confident that the RM962.5 million allocated to Sabah under the national 2012 Budget will expand electricity supply coverage in the state to almost 100 per cent.
According to its managing director, Datuk Ir Baharin Din, SESB’s coverage is now 80 per cent of the state.
“With this financial injection of about RM1 billion, I am confident that the state and federal governments with the cooperation of all quarters, including SESB, will be able to expand the electricity supply coverage in Sabah towards the target of 95 per cent by 2012.
“I believe the allocation will give positive contribution in the electric supply infrastructure network, especially in the rural areas of the state, many of which have not received electrical supply,” he told reporters yesterday.
Baharin also expressed SESB’s appreciation to the federal government for the Budget 2012, especially on the allocation to provide rural electrification in Sabah.
According to him, in the breakdown, Sabah has been allocated RM962.5 million for 2012 and 2013.
SESB hopes that this fund will further spur the drive for the development of rural electrification, he said, adding that the federal government’s sensitivity to Sabah’s needs, especially to SESB as the huge allocation will spur the state’s electricity supply infrastructure in the rural areas.
“SESB is also thankful for the continuation of the RM20 rebate to domestic consumers, which was supposed to expire by the end of December 2011, but has been continued for 2012. Details will be announced by the federal government in due time,” he said.
Baharin also announced to the media that SESB’s annual Vendor Day will be held on October 24 and 25 at the lobby of Wisma SESB here.
“A few MoUs and service agreements will be signed during the event. As of today, we have received commitment from more than 40 participants who are interested to set up booths at the event,” he said.
Among the programmes lined up for the two days is a seminar for SESB and participants to share knowledge towards further developing the vendors in Sabah.
According to Baharin, Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan will be the guest of honour at the event which is aimed at changing the mindset of the people on SESB from being a government agency to a business body which works together to assist entrepreneurs and the industry in the state to develop further.
“The way we do this through SESB which provides the kick-start market for vendors, especially those involved in the manufacturing of products to be nurtured, developed and eventually become successful vendors.
“Through this programme, we have successfully guided three local vendors who are now supplying SESB with products which we had to purchase from outside, namely poles, electric meters and supply boxes,” he said, adding that the contract value is worth about RM20 million.