Need to improve in power generation and distribution in Malaysia

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls for the true improvement in the power generation, distribution and maintenance of the electricity supply in the whole country including Sabah Sarawak and other states.

Dr Tan touched on the topic of power generation, distribution and maintenance when he spoke at a DAP gathering in Kota KInabalu on 12.12.2009.

In the 2010 national budget of RM 191.5 billion, RM 9.2 Billion is for the efficiency and improvement in the energy supply, borrowing RM 250 million for projects on generation and distribution. RM 5 billion is allocated to the Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

Although Parliament has debated the RM 2.4 billion budget allocation for the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water in 2010, we have not seen the details of projects involving Sabah Electricity Sendirian Berhad. We urge the Government to announce the details of these projects.

There is a need to improve the quality of electricity supply. The Sabah Electricity Sendirian Berhad must increase the generation capacity and enhance the distribution system.

Obviously, just as many parts of the country, electricity supply in Sabah faces interruptions. The national budget mentions the reduction of the Indeks Tempoh Gangguan Purata Sistem (The Index of the Average Interruption Period) to 700 minutes. We hope this can be achieved.

Issues concerning power generation and distribution continue to surface. The part played by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) causes concern. Does TNB get 60% of it power from IPPs? Are the terms given to IPPs unfavourable to the consumers?

As time passes, we require better efforts to overcome the various problems arising from power generation, distribution and maintenance. The public must be informed.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw