DAP Sabah has called on the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) to pay the compensation to the consumers by giving a discount in this month’s electricity bill.
The SESB Managing Director, Abdul Razak Sallim had merely said that SESB apologised for all the inconveniences to its power consumers in the State.
Abdul Razak had also said that consumers could claim for compensation as long as the all the procedures are complied with.
However, SESB seemed to be insincere in its apology and it did not gave assurance that all the affected consumers are compensated.
SESB only said that there is nothing to stop the consumers to file for compensation for damages to their electrical appliances so long as they complied with the procedures.
DAP Sabah believes that in order to show its apology sincerity, SESB must consider paying the compensation directly through this month’s electricity bill.
Based on a written answer in the State Legislative Assembly, SESB is subjected to the 1990 Electricity Supply Act and for payment of compensation or ex-gratia, it is stipulated under Section 17 of the same Act that the concessionaire and in this case, SESB is only liable to pay compensation if there is negligence.
However, Abdul Razak had told the media that SESB had taken all necessary steps including activating its contingency plan.
This mean there was no negligence on the part of SESB therefore even though the consumers have complied with all the procedures in filing the claims for compensation will there be able to succeed?
If the consumers fail in the bid to get compensation because there is no negligence in SESB’s part then is SESB really sincere in saying there is nothing to stop the consumers to claim compensation?.