KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over an alleged attempt at bribery involving 1Borneo Hypermall’s oustanding electricity bill of more than RM8.7 million.
In a statement today, the utility company claimed that an attempt had been made to bribe an SESB officer to restore the hypermall’s electricity supply.
“The incident occurred on Friday morning at Wisma SESB. A report was lodged by the officer at the MACC office, here,” the utility company said.
SESB had cut off power to the mall on July 11, after issuing several warning letters.
Lights in the common areas are still on as the power cut only affects the air-conditioning system.
SESB demanded that justice be done and accused those who had failed to settle the outstanding electricity bill of manipulating the general public and stirring up political sentiment to cover up their own weaknesses which were the cause of the problems at the hypermall.
“SESB hopes that this issue can be resolved immediately in the interest of the public visiting the mall,” said SESB.
Earlier today, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal advised 1Borneo’s management to settle the arrears as soon as possible.
Mohd Shafie stressed that the state government should not be asked to intervene in the matter.
Yesterday, state Trade and Industries Assistant Minister and Karambunai assemblyman Azhar Matussin said he had made a plea to SESB to reduce the bill amount on behalf of the mall’s tenants.