PUTRAJAYA (Dec 26): The government has allocated RM80 million for monthly electricity bill rebate of RM40 each for 185,000 poor and hardcore poor households registered and verified under the e-Kasih system, effective Jan 1.

In a statement, the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) said under this targeted aid programme, the eligible households would get free usage of electricity up to RM40 monthly, depending on their current usage.

“If the monthly usage is under RM40, the household head will automatically get free electricity based on the actual bill. However, if the usage exceeds RM40, the household head needs to pay only the balance after deducting the rebate of RM40,” it said. 

The ministry said the RM40 Electricity Bill Rebate Programme was a new programme introduced, effective from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2019 to replace the RM20 Electricty Bill Rebate Programme which would end this December.

The rebate programme is in line with the government’s aim of caring for the people’s welfare and quality of life, as stated in Budget 2019 tabled last Nov 2.

Consumers can check their e-Kasih and rebate eligibility at the MESTECC portal, https://semakanrebat.mestecc.gov.my or by calling the My Government Call Centre (MyGCC) at 03-80008000.

They can also check for eligibility by calling the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) careline 1-300-88-5454 or directly at the nearest Kedai Tenaga. Consumers in Sabah can call the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) helpline 088-515000/15454 while in Sarawak, consumers can call the Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) customer careline 1-300-88-3111.

Meanwhile, eligible e-Kasih users who do not have a registered account with TNB, SESB or SEB can apply for a third party account by filling the application form at any nearest Kedai Tenaga TNB, SESB office or SEB office and attach a copy of their identity card as a support document.

Consumers who do not quality after verification made but wish to register in the e-Kasih programme can refer to the state’s Federal Development Office (PPPN) or Federal Development Department (JPP), Implementation Coordination Unit, Prime Minister’s Department, or the District Office’s Development Unit.

http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/rm40-electricity-bill-rebate-poor-households-january-2019