Rep appeals to federal govt to increase electricity discounts

KUCHING: An opposition lawmaker has called upon the Perikatan Nasional (PN)-led federal government to grant more electricity discounts to Sarawakians and Sabahans.

Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong said the federal government should give more electricity discount to these two states, aside from the current two per cent discount announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in Prihatin Economic Stimulus Package on March 27.

“In my view, the two per cent discount on electricity bill subsidised by the federal government is just too little. In fact, it has put the federal government in a very bad light for not treating the people in Sabah and Sarawak fairly, and with lack of sincerity,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Yong said it was disappointing to see many instances of people in Sabah and Sarawak needing help the most from the federal government, but getting benefits below the percentage of revenue that the two states had been contributing to the federal coffers since the formation of Malaysia.

She said Sarawak contributed oil and gas royalties, in addition to various federal taxes, yet in return, the PN-led government only gave back a mere two-per cent electricity discount.

She urged the PN-led government to review its decision and increase the percentage of the electricity discounts for Sabah and Sarawak.

“It is high time also for GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak)-led Sarawak government to step up and fight for the rights of Sarawakians by telling the federal government to give more electricity discounts to Sarawak,” she stressed.

Yong also requested for Sarawak state government to extend the electricity discount period until end of this year, just like those offered by the federal government, instead of within the April 1-Sept 30 timeframe.