Kota Kinabalu: Warisan Vice President Datuk Junz Wong said he is against the proposed 15 per cent electricity tariff hike that he claims was approved by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) State Government.
He said the increase would unfairly burden Sabahans already grappling with rising living costs and unreliable utilities.
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The Tanjung Aru Assemblyman said he was reliably informed that the tariff increase, set to take effect next month, was agreed upon at a GRS Cabinet meeting on Jan 21 and subsequently endorsed by the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS).
“Warisan strongly rejects this move and demands that the State Government come clean and immediately explain the justification for imposing a power tariff hike on Sabahans,” Wong said in a statement.
He said transparency and accountability are essential principles of good governance, particularly when decisions carry serious consequences for households, businesses and the broader economy.
He also criticised the timing of the proposed hike, noting that many Sabahans continue to endure inconsistent electricity supply and prolonged water disruptions.
“Areas including greater Kota Kinabalu, Menggatal, Penampang, Kota Belud, Sandakan, Kinarut and Papar have experienced water cuts lasting weeks.
“Instead of fixing these basic and long-standing failures in electricity and water supply, the people are now being asked to pay more,” he said, describing the move as grossly unjustified and unacceptable.
He said any electricity tariff increase would have a ripple effect throughout the economy, driving up business operating costs and consumer prices, further straining ordinary Sabahans.
“Sabahans should not be forced to shoulder additional financial pressure when essential services remain unreliable,” Wong said.
He characterised the proposed hike as a “reward” for those who supported the GRS in the last state election, despite ongoing service failures.
