KUALA LUMPUR: The energy, green technology and water ministry will continue exempting payment of domestic electricity bills of less than RM20 until next December.
In a press statement today, minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said the government had agreed to this move, in view of the recovering economic situation and concern for the low-income group.
He said, such exemption was given to domestic consumers based on the actual monthly claims, adding that an average of 1.05 million consumers enjoyed the exemption since the programme was introduced in October last year.
"Assuming each household consists of between two to five people, the privilege is enjoyed by more individuals," added Chin.
Meanwhile, he said the government had to bear an average of RM11.95 million in expenses each month to cover the electricity bill exemptions offered to consumers in the Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak.
As of September this year, Chin said RM143.4 million was paid by the government since the exemption programme was introduced.
"The government is expected to cover an additional cost of RM143 million to continue the exemptions from January to December 2010," he said. - Bernama
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