KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 16): The government will hold a special meeting on Thursday to explore immediate mitigation measures following public outcry over surging electricity bills amid the recent hot weather and haze, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday.

In a statement issued after returning from official visits to India and the Maldives, Anwar acknowledged growing consumer grievances over recent spikes.

"I hear the grievances voiced, and this matter requires immediate attention and resolution," he said.

Anwar stressed that targeted subsidy initiatives remained in place, shielding around 80% of domestic users who consume no more than 600 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month from rate hikes resulting from rising fuel costs this year.

"However, the recent haze and hotter weather conditions have driven an increase in electricity usage among some households, pushing their monthly consumption beyond the 600kWH threshoold, thereby subjecting them to the Automatic Fuel Adjustment Mechanism," he noted.

The AFA is a pass-through tariff mechanism that adjusts bills up or down based on changes in global fuel and generation costs. When a household's monthly consumption exceeds 600kWh, they lose their AFA exemption and must pay additional surcharges when fuel costs increase, though they would also receive rebates if fuel prices drop.

Thursday's special meeting will involve officials from the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, the Energy Commission, the Ministry of Finance and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA), according to Anwar.

He added that the Madani government will ensure targeted subsidy measures are implemented fairly and reasonably, with the interests and well-being of the people remaining a priority.