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KUALA LUMPUR: Small and medium enterprises (SME) and households laud the government's decision to not raise electricity tariffs.
Nicholas Hah, 56, said the government's decision was much welcome as it is a good start to economic recovery of SMEs during these tough economic times.
"It is good that the electricity tariffs are maintained as we are very frugal in electricity usage and even go to the extent of having less work hours in the office. Now we need not worry much of our bills rising," said Nicholas who is the owner of a branding consultation company.
Joel Khoo, 35, who operates a restaurant and cafe business said that if the electricity tariffs rise, they would need to save up more and be very careful in their electricity usage.
"As our business is small, this announcement leaves me one less thing to worry about in an environment where costs of raw food items and everything else are rising."
Nazrul Had, 45, who works in the public service sector also agrees on the decision to not increase electricity tariffs as it is one of the steps to maintain the welfare of the people.
"It's great that the prime minister has considered this as the world faces an energy crisis and we can see other countries having their utility bills skyrocket, it's good for the welfare of Malaysians (that the tariffs are maintained)," he said.
Steven Kuan, 52, a sales manager in the M40 income category, said that maintaining the electricity tariffs lessens the burden of households during times of uncertainty in the economy.
"It will help B40 groups, entrepreneurs who just started up their businesses, and even middle income people like us to consume electricity with less worries about the rising electricity bills of RM100 or more that we have to bear every month. I think the people do not expect a big decrease in the electricity tariffs, but just a bit is enough to help everyone," said Kuan.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the government will not increase the electricity tariff for households, SMEs, as well as food and agricultural-related companies after taking into consideration the economic challenges faced by the groups.
"Based on the report by the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) yesterday, we decided not to proceed with the initial proposal to increase the electricity tariff as this will burden the people.
"This, despite we being aware that if nothing is done, it will impact the country's finances by some RM30 billion," he said at a press conference after the cabinet meeting today.
Anwar, however, said that the electricity tariff would be increased slightly for the multinational companies that export their products.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/12/860759/no-electricity-tariff-hike-good-economic-recovery-say-smes