KUCHING: A broken seal on an electricity meter’s front cover was all it took for Syarikat Sesco Berhad to slap a Certificate for Loss of Revenue and a bill for RM791.20 on Hiu Moi Fah.
Hiu, as the account holder, was charged RM241.20 in arrears, RM400 for administrative fee, and RM150 for meter fee.
However, the alleged irregularity was detected and replaced on June 28, 2011, which is four years ago.
Hiu’s husband, who wished only to be identified as Au, told reporters at the state DAP headquarters yesterday that it was shocking to find the exorbitant charges from Sesco, especially when the bill was issued only four years after the meter was replaced.
“I believe the meter was already defective when it was first installed because I wouldn’t know the seal is broken since it is covered by a protective cover.
“Why are they issuing us for the payment after four years only?”
To rectify the matter, Hiu and Au sought assistance from Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, who remarked that it was very unfair and oppressive of Sesco to issue and demand payment of the said sum, failing which electricity supply would be disconnected.
“In normal business transactions, you cannot go after the debtors after three years. This bill is issued after four years. How is he (Au) going to prove otherwise?”
Chong also pointed out that the account had been paid consistently every month, and due to the defective meter, his client had been deemed to have underpaid.
“They (Sesco) calculated for 36 months prior to the change of the meter and said the account holder has arrears of RM241.20. How did they come up with this figure? It’s as if Sesco just alleged the amount and demand the customer to pay.
“Furthermore, the bill also charged a RM400 administrative fee, which has been repeatedly held by the Consumer Protection Tribunal that this amount is excessive. As a government-owned company, there is no justification for continuing to charge such excessive administrative fee.”
Chong added that apart from this case, he had also received about three to four similar cases this year as well.
In view of this, Chong wondered if the exorbitant charges were one of the company’s ways of making up for their loss of revenue due to the electricity tariff reduction, which was implemented on January 1 this year.
“Are they going on some kind of rampage against customers because there’s some loss of revenue due to the tariff reduction?
“I think this is very unfair and oppressive of Sesco. It is unfortunate that the state government is allowing this to happen.”-Borneo Post
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