Issue : Sesco must compensate consumers for losses during blackouts

FOR about three hours on Saturday evening at a time when electricity was most needed, there was no power throughout most if not all of Sarawak. The whole of Sarawak was literally in darkness with people groping their way across streets and alleys.

Well, we scored a big zero on Saturday night in the eyes of investors and tourists with the state-wide power failure.

I think it is only right that Sesco now compensate all consumers in Sarawak monetarily for inconveniencing us and causing many businesses huge losses. I calculate that the power failure cost me RM450 in lost work revenue (I charge a fee of RM150 per hour for my services) and I think that another 10 per cent should be added onto this figure for plain inconvenience.

So, can I expect a rebate of RM495 in my next month’s bill? Can other consumers and businesses also expect likewise from the power company?

If it fails or refuses to do so, then it only shows how uncaring Sesco is to our need for a constant and regular supply of electricity.

Frankly, this shows that there is a need for management reforms. Clearly, the frequency of blackouts throughout our state over the last few years is unacceptably high.

There have been a few minor blackouts over the last decade. But Saturday’s blackout was similar to the one experienced nearly nine years ago when the whole state was in darkness for nearly three hours.

There were many attempts by worried neighbours and friends to contact Sesco for an answer to Saturday’s blackout. Bad sadly, no one picked up the phone. What happened to its hotline? Wasn’t anyone manning the line?

Even one blackout is one too many. It only underscores the necessity of disciplining/penalising the power company’s management. Otherwise, why do they care if we consumers and businesses are negatively-affected by their power outages?

Letter to the editors, Borneopost Saturday, 16 August 2008