Can TNB be fair to consumers as it overcomes tempered meters?

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Malaysian Government to monitor Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) so that the latter is fair to consumers in their efforts to eradicate falsified meters.

On 11 November, 2005, Dr Tan had a discussion with the TNB Task Force and consumers at its headquarters for Kuala Lumpur West in Jinjang. The company charges users new rate after discovering tempered meters.

Although a few Independent Power Producers (IPPs) supply electricity to TNB, it has virtual monopoly in the country. It has assets of RM60 billion with over 5 million consumers.

Recently, the company sends its task force to find out meters that have been modified. It changes the old meters with new meters approved by SIRIM. For example, a meter records 150 units of electricity used per month. The force smells rat and puts in a new meter that shows 800 units per month, over 70% more electricity consumed. The new calculation is based on the difference of 650 units a month. If the old meter is 5-year-old, TNB may include the arrears for one and a half years. The new bill may run into thousands or tens of thousands of ringgit.

Now, over 2,000 consumers in KL West have received shocking bills. Many are flabbergasted.
What syndicates are cheating TNB? If these syndicates temper with meters, they must have colluded with relevant people, including TNB employees and electrical contractors or subcontractors. TNB has meter readers and technicians who monitor electricity supply. How can thousands of falsified meters exist for years?

People should not steal electricity. If consumers are innocent, what is the meaning of punishing them with hefty bills? If a shoplot has a tempered meter and a new owner purchases the building without paying attention to the meter, TNB then presents the new owner with inflated bills based on a newly installed meter. This horrifies him or her.

The Energy, Water and Communications Ministry must take this matter seriously. It must monitor TNB's methods of sorting out tempered meters. Please treat consumers justly.