Anwar to review impact of electricity bill increase at special meeting tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 - Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will convene a special meeting tomorrow with the Energy Transition and Water Ministry, the Energy Commission, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and the Finance Ministry to discuss measures to alleviate the impact of the recent electricity bill hike on Malaysian households. The Prime Minister expressed his ongoing concern for citizens' grievances about the recent surge in electricity rates during a statement today.

Anwar, who holds the role of Finance Minister, emphasized that protective subsidies for the majority of households would continue to be upheld. Around 80 percent of domestic users consuming less than 600 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month are currently shielded from the rate increase due to the surge in fuel costs this year.

However, hotter weather and haze conditions have led to higher electricity consumption for some households, pushing their monthly usage above the 600 kWh limit and consequently subjecting them to the Automatic Fuel Cost Adjustment (AFA). The Madani government pledged to administer subsidies fairly and reasonably, with the well-being of the people always being a primary concern.