KUCHING: The state government should review existing electricity tariff following its takeover of the Bakun hydroelectric power dam (HEP).
This suggestion came from Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth Central publicity secretary Milton Foo who lauded the state government for taking over Bakun HEP from the federal government.
“It is believed that the takeover would help to stimulate and promote Sarawak’s economic development in the forthcoming years.
“The state government should review the existing electricity tariffs to a lower rate, even though Sarawak’s electricity is one of the cheapest in the region.
“This is so that Sarawakians can enjoy cheaper energy, thus reducing the burden of the people,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
Foo said Sarawakians should be given priority since Bakun HEP “is able to produce ample energy.”
He added that the mentioned HEP should also be able to provide power supply to rural and inland areas throughout Sarawak given that these areas remained unconnected to the power grid.
Acknowledging that Sarawak is a big state and sparsely populated, he said the rural folks in the state should not be deprived of power and water supplies.
He said the lack of power and water supplies “is totally intolerable and inexcusable as Sarawak is a rich state with an abundance of resources.”
“It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that every Sarawakian has access to equitable water and power supply. The takeover is also considered as a significant move in the progress of claiming our state’s economy autonomy.
“Sarawak still has a number of autonomy terms to take back from the federal government. The Sarawak government needs strong support and a big mandate from its people, especially in the upcoming general elections in order to negotiate with the federal government in accordance with the terms as spelt out in the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” Foo added.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government had reached an agreement to acquire the entire equity interest of Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd (SHSB), the owner and operator of Bakun HEP from the federal government.
He added that the state government’s wholly owned company Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) would price the acquisition at RM2.5 billion.
However, he said SEB would take over the servicing of SHSB’s outstanding loan amounting to about RM6 billion.