Amir Hamzah: Contrary to rumours, no cut to Sabah’s electricity subsidy, federal support remains strong

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — A recent allegation that the federal government has withdrawn the allocation of electricity subsidy to Sabah is untrue, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

According to Astro Awani, he said that the federal government remains committed to providing an electricity subsidy of RM3.54 billion over seven years, until 2030, following the transfer of regulatory authority to the state government.

He further explained that this decision was made after an agreement was reached to transfer the regulatory authority of electricity supply to the Sabah state government on January 3, 2024.

“As of September 2024, the federal government has disbursed RM449.4 million in electricity subsidies (out of the total allocation for 2024 of RM507 million), based on claims that have been reviewed and confirmed by ECoS to Sabah Electricity (SESB).

“The remaining allocation of around RM57.6 million will be disbursed once the claims are submitted, and it is expected that this balance will be fully disbursed before the end of this year,” he was quoted as saying during his closing speech at the Supply Bill Committee Stage yesterday.