Cuepacs calls on TNB to review discount offer

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has been urged to re-evaluate the electricity bill discounts offered to consumers during the movement control order (MCO) period.

The Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) president Adnan Mat said TNB offered discounts of 50 percent, 25 percent, 15 percent and two percent to users based on their respective consumption. However, only those with low consumption would benefit more from the discount, he said.

“Only a few are eligible to enjoy the maximum discount rate because TNB itself has expected higher consumption because most people are spending their time at home.

“In our opinion, the discount rate should be around 25 to 50 percent from the total bill without taking into consideration the quantum of consumption,” he said in a statement today.

According to Adnan, the initiative could help all parties in the current situation as many people are affected by the Covid-19 outbreak including many who lost their jobs and sources of income during the MCO.

On June 8, Bernama reported that over 80 percent of TNB customers enjoyed discounts of between 15 to 50 percent following the consumption of electricity at a maximum rate of 600 kilowatts per month from April 1 until Sept 30, this year.

Under the Prihatin package, the utility company is offering bill discounts at 50 percent for energy use under 200 kilowatts, 25 percent for use of 201 to 300 kilowatts and 15 percent for use of 301 to 600 kilowatts.

The government also decided to give a discount of two percent to all other users in trading, industrial and specific agricultural categories as well as domestic users for electricity consumption during the period.

Meanwhile, Adnan said following the numerous grievances by the public over the bill calculation method, the matter should be taken seriously by TNB to avoid confusion or the perception of oppressing the people.

- Bernama