Dec 31 deadline for local businesses to apply for 10–15 pct electricity bill discounts from Sarawak Energy

A file photo of a coffeshop.

KUCHING, Dec 13: Local commercial and industrial entities, such as kopitiams, retail stores, restaurants, workshops and hawker stalls are urged to promptly apply for electricity bill discounts ranging from 10 to 15 per cent under Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) initiative from Sarawak Energy before Dec 31, 2023.

In giving this reminder, Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sarawak (ACCCIS) highlighted that the discounts of 15 per cent for small commercial traders and 10 per cent for small industrial traders are applicable for electricity consumption between July 1 and Dec 31 this year.

“Unlike previous procedures, applicants are now required to submit an application to avail of the discount. Conversely, residential users will automatically receive the discount without needing to submit an application.

“Applications submitted after Dec 31, 2023, will not be accepted,” ACCCIS said in a statement yesterday (Dec 12).

The discount is exclusive to users falling under tariff categories C1 (normal commercial) and I1 (normal industrial).

Entities with a total electricity consumption of less than 30,000 kWh for the period from July 1 to December 31, 2023 (a six-month period), averaging 5,000 kWh per month, are eligible to apply.

Applications may be submitted at the nearest Sarawak Energy customer service counter or via email to [email protected].

Required documents include a valid trade licence, a valid tenancy agreement (if the registered electricity account holder’s name differs from the trade licence), and a clear photocopy of the electricity bill displaying the contract account number.

For inquiries, traders may contact Sarawak Energy’s customer service hotline at 1300-88-3111 or visit their official website for additional details.

The electricity bill discount is part of the measures introduced by the Sarawak government under the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) initiative. Initially launched during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the government has repeatedly extended various assistance measures to support the people of Sarawak and the business community.

These measures include discounts ranging from 5 to 25 per cent for domestic, commercial, and industrial electricity bills.

ACCCIS expressed gratitude for the Sarawak government’s ongoing efforts, providing over three years of subsidies through diverse assistance measures.

“These subsidies have played a vital role in supporting both the people of Sarawak and the business community, helping them overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic,” it added. — DayakDaily