PARTI Warisan has voiced strong concern over the Sabah government’s recent decision to increase electricity tariffs, warning that the move comes at a time when power supply remains unstable and the cost of living continues to rise for the state’s residents.
Party president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal described the government’s justification for the increase as insufficient, arguing that basic services must meet acceptable standards before consumers are asked to bear additional costs.
“However, when essential services have yet to reach a satisfactory level, that reason cannot be accepted,” he said in a statement on Friday. “When basic services fail to function properly, the people should not be asked to pay more.”
Shafie, a former chief minister and current state assemblyman for Senallang, cautioned that the tariff increase affects far more than household electricity bills.
“It will also raise operating costs for businesses, push up the prices of goods and services, weaken small enterprises, and reduce the spending power of the people across Sabah,” he said.
He questioned whether the government had addressed the underlying issues within Sabah’s electricity supply system before transferring the cost burden to consumers. “The real question is whether the government has tackled the root causes in Sabah’s electricity system before shifting costs to users,” he emphasised.
The Warisan leader highlighted Sabah’s heavy reliance on Independent Power Producers (IPP), noting that many power supply agreements were signed years ago and warrant a review to ensure that the state does not bear unnecessary costs.
“Many energy supply agreements were entered into years ago and should be reassessed to ensure Sabah is not paying more than it should,” he said.
Warisan has urged the state government to provide a transparent explanation of the calculations behind the new tariffs, review IPP agreements, and enhance the efficiency and management of Sabah Electricity (SE).
“Electricity is a basic necessity. The people of Sabah should not be forced to pay more while supply problems persist,” Shafie said.
The new electricity tariff for Sabah and Labuan came into effect on February 1, with the average base rate adjusted to 39.70 sen per kilowatt-hour (kWh), up from the previous 34.52 sen per kWh. - February 6, 2026
