KUALA LUMPUR: The government holds a special meeting today to weigh immediate measures to soften the impact of rising electricity bills on households, after weeks of mounting complaints from consumers.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the meeting involves the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, known as PETRA, the Energy Commission, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and the Finance Ministry.
"I have heard the complaints being voiced and this matter needs attention and has to be dealt with immediately," he said in Petaling Jaya on Wednesday.
Haze and hotter weather in recent weeks have pushed some households to use more electricity, he said, lifting their monthly bills above the usual range.
The government will hold to its targeted subsidy approach, he said, with about 80 per cent of domestic users staying below 600 kilowatt hours a month and remaining protected. Those above that level are exposed to the Automatic Fuel Cost Adjustment, or AFA.
TNB describes the AFA as a two-way mechanism that balances movements in fuel costs and foreign exchange rates on global markets. It took effect on July 1, 2025, replacing the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through system.
By the company's account, consumers have received RM3.1 billion in rebates since the AFA began, against RM0.8 billion in surcharges. The rebates ran for nine months from August 2025 to April this year, before surcharges began in May as generation fuel costs rose on the back of a regional crisis.
The government has also channelled RM435 million through the Electricity Industry Fund to blunt the effect of the AFA on consumers.
Domestic users consuming 600 kilowatt hours or less a month are fully exempt from AFA charges, service tax and retail charges. TNB said that group saves between two and 14 per cent compared with the old tariff structure.
As of the latest reports, the government has not announced the form the assistance will take, who will qualify for it or when it will take effect.
← Kembali ke halaman utama