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Datuk Dr Lim Keng Yaik Should Either Resign Or Sack TNB Officials Who Refused to Comply With His Directive To Pay Compensation For Losses Incurred From The Massive Power Breakdown On 13/1/2005 Affecting 5 States And 1 Million Consumers Press Statement by Lim Guan Eng (Petaling Jaya, Friday): Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik should either resign as Minister or sack Tenaga Nasional Bhd(TNB) officials who refused to comply with his directive to pay compensation to consumers who suffered losses following the massive blackout on 13/1/2005.  DAP is shocked at the irresponsible and unprofessional stance by TNB Chief Executive Officer Datuk Che Khalib Mohd Noh’s statement today refusing to pay any compensation for the massive breakdown over the 5 states of Federal Territory, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor and Melaka that affected 1 million consumers. This is in direct contrast to the statement made by Lim Keng Yaik made immediately after the power breakdown that compensation shall be paid for losses suffered.  The refusal by TNB to heed the Minister’s directive gives rise to questions who is in charge and have Ministerial responsibility over TNB. In a democratic system like Malaysia, companies such as TNB owned by the government must comply with ministerial directives. Failure to obey is unprecedented and will invariably lead to immediate dismissal.   Clearly by repudiating Lim Keng Yaik’s statement, either heads have to roll in TNB to force TNB to pay compensation. Or else Lim Keng Yaik has to resign as a Minister if he is so ineffective, powerless and incompetent that the is unable to force his subordinates to carry out his instructions.  DAP states that TNB must give a 20% electricity rebate to those who are unable to prove their losses. For those who can, compensation must be paid as was done so during the previous national blackout in 1996. To date companies in Selangor alone are claiming RM 43.9 million. There is no reason why TNB can not pay when it is morally, ethically and legally correct to be punished by paying compensation when one has done wrong.   TNB should be ashamed for refusing to address its consistent poor performance, poor effectiveness and efficiency. TNB’s refusal to admit Malaysiakini reporter to the press briefing by TNB CEO must be unreservedly condemned because it shows that TNB is a law unto itself, completely unaccountable and does not believe in a free media. How can TNB overcome its defects and weaknesses when it refuses to be open and transparent to independent journalists from Malaysiakini?  Whilst TNB can talk in technical terms of the reasons behind the breakdown, the fact remains that Tenaga has failed in its primary statutory duty to ensure regular power supply. Such failure is unacceptable and must not be left unpunished. If power supply can be cut for not paying bills, then Tenaga should likewise be punished for not ensuring supply.   This power breakdown will affect Malaysia’s standing in the eyes of investors reinforcing the image of “First World infrastructure, Third World maintenance”. Since the last national power breakdown in 1996, the government has given assurances that it has taken steps to ensure that there will be no repeat. Clearly the government and TNB have proven once again that promises are made to be broken.    DAP urges consumers who can prove their losses and with claims less than RM 25,000 to pursue the matter with  the Consumer Tribunal. By referring to the Consumer Tribunal will be a test case to force TNB to bear full responsibility and determine the effectiveness of the Consumer Tribunal against large Government-linked companies like TNB.. (21/1/2005) * Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General