Tariff Hike Two Ex Pms Refute Anwar S No Impact On Households Remark

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PARLIAMENT | Two former prime ministers debating the royal address today shared similar concerns in rejecting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's statement that an electricity tariff increase for industrial users and the high-income group will not affect 85 percent of households.
Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera) and Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) argued that the hike for industries will contribute to an overall increase in prices and other costs affecting consumers.
Ismail Sabri (above, left), who succeeded Muhyiddin as the ninth prime minister, refuted Anwar's statement last week, citing increased production costs for industries and its transferable impact.
"The government said the increase will only involve some 15 percent of the 'ultra rich' and industries.
"But I wish to stress that typically, this increase in electricity tariff will increase production costs which would then be transferred to consumers comprising the 85 percent of households," Ismail Sabri said.
Anwar reiterated in Dewan Rakyat last week that the increase in electricity rates for industry will occur according to the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through (ICPT) method starting in July, and that it must be done to fund other sectors such as healthcare and education.
Ismail Sabri today noted that there had only been a minor increase of 3.7 percent in tariffs between 2015 and 2022 - from 38.53 sen per kilowatt to 39.95 sen per kilowatt.
This, he said, was in contrast to a 14.18 percent increase from this year to 2027, from 39.95 sen per kilowatt to 45.62 sen per kilowatt.
"What are the government's plans to face increasing costs of living?" asked Ismail, who cited reported concerns over industries struggling to absorb additional costs and remain competitive.
New taxes
Muhyiddin, who debated the royal address after Ismail Sabri, echoed similar concerns, adding the people are also faced with other price increases from new taxes.
"This (price increase) has not taken into account the government's plans to increase electricity tariffs and implement targeted RON95 subsidies by the middle of this year.
"Although Tambun (Anwar) has assured that the electricity tariff increase will only be imposed on industrial users and the 'maha kaya', the reality is that the 14.2 percent increase under the present government is way higher than the previous administrations," said the Perikatan Nasional chairperson.
"Can the government be trusted in its guarantee that 85 percent of domestic users will not be affected?
"This is because if a company's operation costs increase from the tariff hike, they will certainly transfer the costs to end users, and so the people will suffer the burden of increase in the price of goods and services," he said.
Rights of Palestinians
Ismail Sabri and Muhyiddin again shared similar views in urging the government to pressure the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) to convene an emergency meeting and push for urgent international action to defend the rights of Palestinians in Gaza.
"I also agree with other MPs who proposed to table an emergency motion in the Dewan Rakyat to discuss Trump's 'craziness' and endless atrocities committed towards the people in Gaza," said Ismail Sabri.
This follows recent developments announced by US President Donald Trump, including that the "US will take over the Gaza Strip” and proposing the permanent resettlement of Palestinians outside the enclave. - Mkini

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