Govt Says 85 Per Cent Of Malaysians Will Remain Protected From Electricity Tariff Increases
PUTRAJAYA: The government has assured that approximately 85 per cent of domestic electricity consumers in Malaysia will continue to be protected from the impact of rising electricity costs despite mounting pressure from higher global energy prices.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), Fadillah Yusof, said the existing electricity tariff protection mechanism would remain in place to ensure the majority of Malaysians are not burdened by higher utility costs.
According to him, domestic consumers using up to 600 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month would not be affected by any tariff adjustments.
“Our current electricity cost structure guarantees that around 85 per cent of the rakyat will not be affected, and the government will continue maintaining that protection,” he told reporters after attending PETRA’s monthly assembly here today.
Fadillah Yusof explained that any potential increase in electricity-related costs would not stem from a blanket tariff hike, but rather from external pressures including global supply disruptions that have pushed up logistics and supply chain expenses.
He added that consumers using more than 600kWh per month could face minor adjustments depending on ongoing government evaluations.
“There may be some increases involving certain sectors or industries, but the overall impact is still being assessed,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Fadillah Yusof acknowledged that Malaysia is also experiencing the effects of global supply chain uncertainty and supply crises currently affecting many countries.
However, he stressed that the government remains committed to addressing the challenges through pragmatic measures that prioritise public welfare and economic stability.
According to him, the government’s main focus is to ensure stable supply of essential goods, protect the public from excessive cost-of-living pressures and strengthen the country’s long-term economic resilience.
He said various measures are already being implemented and will continue to be expanded, including targeted assistance programmes, price control mechanisms, stronger energy security initiatives and strategic cooperation between the government, industries and the public.
“What matters most is that we face these challenges together while ensuring the welfare of the rakyat remains the top priority,” he said.
At the same time, Fadillah Yusof also reminded staff of Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation to uphold integrity, discipline and professionalism in carrying out their duties.
He said public confidence in the ministry and the civil service depends greatly on how government officers perform their responsibilities and make decisions.
The development comes as many countries continue to face rising energy costs amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and global supply disruptions that are placing pressure on economies worldwide, including utility and energy sectors.
