15,000 IN SANDAKAN AFFECTED BY BILLING ERRORS – SESB

15,000 in Sandakan affected by billing errors – SESB

KOTA KINABALU August 13, 2011: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has confirmed that there were some technical errors in the readings for the July electricity bills issued to some 15,000 consumers in Sandakan.

The utility company said in a statement yesterday that the erroneous electricity bills were issued from July 12 to August 11.

Those affected are advised to only settle the current bills and not the arrears stated in the bills.

SESB said they would not therefore be carrying out any electricity disconnection in Sandakan against those who are affected by the technical errors.

Consumers who need further clarification on their latest bills may contact the SESB via the hotline at 1-800-88-1135, fax: 088-282 451, or email at tariff@sesb.com.my.

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SESB criticised for inefficient billing service

SANDAKAN August 12, 2011: Elopura assemblyman Au Kam Wah has taken Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) to task for providing poor service to consumers.

Au said he had received a number of complaints from consumers that they had never lapsed in the payment of bills but would receive arrears in payment with a red warning letter to settle the outstanding within 20 days to avoid termination of electricity supply.

He said he was even puzzled the new tariff rate began on July 1 when it should be July 15.

He added the State Government must seriously look into the matter and a review must be made to restore justice and fairness to the consumers.

Since SESB adjusted the power tariff, it has received a lot of negative feedback from consumers and politicians.

Sabah DAP on Wednesday pointed out that SESB’s assurance that the hike in electricity tariff was only 15 per cent and would not heavily affect common users is not true.

Its youth chief, Junz Wong, said they had received numerous complaints from the public who were shocked and unhappy with the “too high” increase in their monthly electricity bills.

“People want to know how they calculate the increase because it does not look like a 15 per cent to them. Families whose monthly bills before were only RM200 said they now had to pay RM300, which is an increase of 50 percent,” he said.

Junz, who is also DAP assistant state secretary, said the tariff hike had also resulted in substantial increase in prices of goods and services in the State, causing further burden to business and the people.