KOTA KINABALU: State opposition Parti Warisan has set up a watchdog to keep tabs on utility company Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) amid daily concerns over insufficient power supply in the state.
The outfit called the Sabah Electricity Watchdog (SEW) will be headed by Sri Tanjung assemblyman Justin Wong who has been appointed to comment on such problems.
SEW's objective is to see that electricity consumers and investors receive value for money in terms of power supply and services rendered.
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Wong said among its tasks was to receive, attend to and investigate complaints from any quarters on electricity supply issues throughout the state.
He said they will also look into “loopholes” among arrangements with independent power producers (IPPs) that were entrusted to supply power to consumers but did not fulfil their responsibilities properly.
“We will also look at complaints from the public on any irregularities in SESB... and forward the (findings) to the relevant authorities for investigation,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 23).
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Similarly, he added, SEW will check on grouses by the public on any irregularities among the IPPs and refer such matters to the relevant authorities for action.
Wong said SEW will at the same time look out for the interests of staff of SESB and IPPs, as it was willing to listen to genuine complaints about any issues within their respective companies.
“These employees are also Sabahans and want to see Sabah and their companies progress correctly and in an orderly way,” he said.
For a start, he said, SEW will operate in the main towns across the state before expanding.
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He added that in addition to its committee members, SEW will also have representatives in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Tuaran, Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Keningau, Kudat, Sipitang, Beaufort and Ranau.
Wong said the people can reach SEW through its e-mail warisanwatchdog@gmail.com or its Facebook page Warisan Watchdog.
“The service provided by SESB to the people of Sabah is... below the required standard and not on par with similar major utilities in Malaysia.
“To address such important issues effectively, we need a good platform to deal with the problems and (give) a better deal to consumers and investors in Sabah,” he said.
