Increase in Power Tariffs: Paying More For Your Electricity
The government has just announced that there will be an increase of electricity tariffs:
The Star
Thursday May 25, 2006Electricity tariff in the peninsula will go up by 12% from June 1.
However, the increase will not affect the low to medium income group which uses less than 200kWh of electricity per month as the existing rate of 21.8 sen per kWh remains unchanged.
Announcing the Cabinet’s decision yesterday, Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said those unaffected by the tariff increase made up 60% or 3.036 million of the 5.1million households in the peninsula.
An associate of ours was complaining about it today. He says that any household with an air-conditioner would definitely see a huge increase in their monthly electricity. According to him, he turns on the air-conditioning for at least 5 to 6 hours every night. He says it’s too hot to sleep without it.
Another associate commented that after the electricity tariff increase, water rates and other utilities will bound to follow soon. We’re not too sure about that, but we understand the concern. As our country get more affluent, there are more and more electrical appliances in our homes as compared to say, ten years ago. Not only, appliances like TV, washing machines, computers and home entertainment systems are consuming more and more electricity without us even realizing it.
The government is also emphasizing that the increase is inevitable due to external forces like the rise in fuel prices, and they are continuing their efforts to negotiate with the IPP in the country. While this is ongoing, the 12% hike on consumers are very likely to stay.
Perhaps most Malaysians are immune to these increases in our cost of living, especially in the last few years, like consumable goods, toll prices and subsidized petrol. What most people are more likely to do are to take proactive steps in their daily lives to cut down on usage, like turning off appliances when not in use, or use less, or not at all.
(all images from the Star)
OOO.. All about $$.. How could we live without $$ in this real world? Now i understand why almost everyone having a second job. All the bosses please forgive us on that.. coz life is really hard…
Comment by Men — June 24, 2006 @ 11:31 am