Invest in power-short Sabah, not Kalimantan, TNB told

 

Energy Commission figures show that an average of 393.32 minutes of power interruptions occurred in Sabah last year, compared to 44.03 minutes in West Malaysia. (Reuters pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Tenaga Nasional Berhad has been told to give attention to Sabah’s power infrastructure first before eyeing business opportunities in neighbouring Kalimantan, Indonesia.

“It’s a bit rich for TNB to even consider investing in Kalimantan when many Sabahans are still deprived of a stable power supply,” said Noridah Samad, a spokesman for G6, an NGO representing communities in six rural villages in Sabah.

“Is TNB saying it has money to spend overseas but not in Sabah?”

TNB, which owns 80% of Sabah Electricity, has said it is looking for opportunities to develop and operate energy solutions in Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, in Kalimantan and to develop high-voltage transmission infrastructure there in collaboration with Indonesia’s state-owned utility company.

Noridah disputed a statement by Sabah Electricity that 98% of Sabah receives electricity. She said the reality on the ground is a different picture.

People in Pitas, some 170km from Kota Kinabalu, have suffered from power disruptions for years.

“They should come and see our houses here, they will see so many electronic appliances including refrigerators and TV sets damaged by power surges,” she said.

She also said many rural schools still have to rely on diesel-powered generators for electricity.

“Some border villages do not have electricity, and we NGOs are the ones who helped build mini-hydro or solar infrastructure there.”

According to the Energy Commission, Sabah consumers experienced on average 393.32 minutes of power interruptions last year compared to only 44.03 minutes in west Malaysia.

Community Forest Management Organisation secretary Galus Ahtoi said: “Many in Penampang and Papar, which are just an hour’s drive from Kota Kinabalu, still do not have electricity.

“If these suburban areas do not have electricity supply, what more rural areas like Pensiangan and Tenom?” he said, adding TNB should look to invest more in Sabah’s electricity infrastructure.

Impact on Sabah

Kenny Chua, a leader in the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, is concerned that any TNB investment in Nusantara could affect Sabah’s competitiveness.

“Being a profit-driven company, it is understandable that TNB is looking to expand but it (investment in Kalimantan) might have an impact on Sabah,” he said.

Chua said electricity supply is a basic requirement to attract investments, and Sabah still suffers from a weak energy infrastructure.

“What if investors flock to Nusantara because they have better power infrastructure, how will that impact Sabah which continues to be tormented by frequent power woes?” he said. - FMT