ELECTRICITY TARIFF DOWN AVERAGE 3.7 PCT MARCH 1

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Electricity tariff rates will be down by
an average of 3.7 percent to 31.31 sen kilowatt hour from 32.5 sen kilowatt
hour, effective March 1.

Domestic users will get to see an average reduction of 2.54 percent in
electricity tariff while commercial consumers 2.7 percent and industrial users
an average reduction of 5.0 percent.

Minister of Energy, Water and Communications Shaziman Abu Mansor said
the government rebate on electricity bills for consumers having a bill of RM20
and less will continue until December 31, 2009.

The tariff rate for domestic users using electricity of 200kwh and below a
month will continue at the existing rate of 21.8 sen kwh considering that users
in this category had not seen any rise in electricity tariff rate since 1998, he
told reporters during the announcement of the new rates here Wednesday.

He said the government had also agreed to provide additional gas supply of
100 mmscfd to the industrial sector from the electricity sector as part of moves
to energise the sector and raise foreign investors' confidence when investing in
the country.

The qualified industrial users enjoying special industrial rates will also
continue to enjoy their rates and this is expected to prove positive for the
industries, he said.

Shaziman said his ministry had also suggested that water distribution
companies who do not qualify for the special industry tariff rates be given
assistance through electricity tariff discounts.

This is to ensure that the water tariff level remains at a level that does
not burden consumers too much, he added.

-- BERNAMA