KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 17): The level of subsidised electricity for households has been increased to 800 kilowatt-hours (kWh) a month from 600kWh until Dec 31, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

This means domestic users of up to this level will be exempt from  the Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA), retail charges and Sales and Service Tax (SST) until Dec 31.       

The AFA adjusts electricity generation charges monthly to reflect changes in fuel prices and other generation-related costs. When fuel and other generation costs rise, the AFA can result in higher electricity charges, while lower costs can reduce the adjustment.

Anwar said the move was to ease cost-of-living pressures faced by households.

He said the haze and recent warmer weather had pushed the electricity use of some homes beyond 600kWh, resulting in higher bills.

“The government will continue to closely monitor developments in fuel costs and prevailing energy market conditions to ensure that any decisions on electricity tariffs take into account a balance between affordability and the cost-of-living burden on the people, electricity supply security and the sustainability of the country’s energy sector,” he said.

Anwar also thanked Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA), the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry and the Energy Commission for enabling the swift implementation of the measure.