1Borneo workers worry about losing jobs if power dispute continues

Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd cuts off power supply to the hypermall after the management fails to settle power bills in excess of RM8 million.

Unhappy 1Borneo shop tenants protest the power cut and urging SESB to show some leniency.

KOTA KINABALU: Workers at Sabah’s largest mall, the 1Borneo hypermall, are worried they may lose their jobs if the power dispute between the mall and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) is not resolved soon.

SESB again cut off power supply to the mall this morning after the 1Borneo management failed to settle the remaining overdue power bills amounting to more than RM8 million.

The SESB had disconnected 1Borneo’s electricity supply on June 27 after it failed to pay an initial RM9.3 million in arrears. Power was restored after the mall paid RM700,000 the same day.

SESB disconnecting power at the mall today.

A supervisor at one of the eateries in 1Borneo, who only wanted to be known as Wong, said his employer was already considering moving out from 1Borneo or closing business completely.

“I think she is quite disappointed with this whole thing. Although the lights are still on, the air-conditioner is off and you can just imagine the unpleasant experience for our customers.

“There are 10 of us working here, including myself, and we are all worried now. It’s okay if she moves the shop to another location but what if she ceases business?”

Wong said they had been working at the eatery ever since it opened at 1Borneo almost nine years ago.

Shop owner Johnny Chia (second from left) speaking to a SESB officer about the power disconnection today.

Shop owner Johnny Chia, who is part of the action committee of outlet owners at 1Borneo, called on the government to assist them in the matter.

He said the tenants were unaware about the unsettled power bills until the media broke the story.

“We want the state government to step in and help. The future of our businesses are at stake,” he said.

Another tenant, who did not wish to be named, said they felt cheated by the management as most of the owners never failed to pay their electricity bills on time.

Chief Minister Shafie Apdal had previously said the state government would not interfere in the 1Borneo-SESB dispute, adding that the mall should settle the matter on its own.

However, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Yong Teck Lee disagreed with Shafie’s stand, saying the issue was now of public interest.

“It warrants the intervention of the government as the problem is both urgent and serious,” Yong told FMT.

“With so many people, businesses, employees and the public affected, as well as the damage to Sabah’s image, the 1Borneo problem is no longer a private issue.” -FMT