KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has recorded a 35 per cent increase in outstanding electricity bills from 2023 to 2024.
Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said in 2023, 464,076 accounts were disconnected by TNB, with an outstanding amount of RM 945,435,794.07.
"Up to September 2024, the number of disconnected accounts has increased to 627,491, with the outstanding amount reaching RM 1,008,771,447.78," he said during the ministers' question time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Akmal said this in response to Khoo Poay Tiong (Pakatan Harapan-Kota Melaka), who inquired about the number of electricity disconnection cases by TNB due to non-payment of bills and the total outstanding amount according to state and user categories, from 2023 to September 2024.
Akmal said financial constraints faced by consumers contributed to the rise in outstanding bills.
"Another serious issue is the irresponsible registered account holders, many of whom are not the actual owners of the premises, and this is a case of people fleeing or evading responsibility.
Another possible reason is that TNB payments are often not prioritised."
He said based on TNB statistics for 2023, the five states with the highest number of disconnections and outstanding payments were Selangor, Terengganu, Perak, Pahang and Negri Sembilan.
"However, as of September this year, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Johor and Terengganu recorded the highest outstanding bills.
"The rise in overdue payments has sparked concern, and the government is continuing to explore measures to improve payment compliance and reduce arrears across the country."