KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Electricity has received a subsidy payment of RM161.7 million from the federal government.

The fund is to cover the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through (ICPT) for 2024. Sabah Electricity chairman Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said that the payment was received from the federal government on Dec 23.

"This amount is a reimbursement for the funds Sabah Electricity has spent to cover ICPT costs. I express my gratitude to the federal government for understanding our needs and approving our request, enabling Sabah Electricity to continue operating and supplying energy in Sabah," he said in a statement.

Earlier, in November, Madius, who is also the Member of Parliament for Tuaran, raised concerns in the Dewan Rakyat Parliamentary Session that Sabah might face power outages during Christmas and New Year celebrations if the subsidy payment was not made.

The former Sabah Deputy Chief Minister also expressed appreciation to the Sabah government, which allocated an additional RM50.9 million ICPT subsidy for Sabah Electricity.

"As announced by the Chief Minister on Dec 20, 2024, the ICPT surcharge exemption has been agreed to continue for the period of Jan 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025. For this purpose, the Sabah government has allocated RM50.9 million to help ease the burden on consumers. As Sabah Electricity chairman, I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to the Sabah government for its concern and provision of this subsidy," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/12/1153596/federal-govt-grants-rm1617mil-subsidy-sabah-electricity