KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 — Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has been urged to give a rebate of 15 to 20 per cent on the overall electricity bill from January to March this year following the hot weather phenomenon that is still affecting Malaysia.
Senator Datuk Mohd Hisamudin Yahaya said the rebate was proposed only for houses worth RM300,000 and below for residents in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan to ease their financial burdens.
“We in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan are very affected by this heat wave. Daily life is becoming more challenging.
“Directly, the cost of electricity use has increased following the prolonged use of air conditioners and fans,” he said when debating the motion of thanks for the Royal Address at the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 15th Parliament in the Dewan Negara today.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the country is expected to experience hotter and drier weather than usual following the absence of rain for a long period, as the final phase of the northeast monsoon is expected to continue until the end of March.
Meanwhile, Senator Isaiah Jacob proposed that the government create a special department to look after and protect disabled persons (PWD).
“This department will look after, protect, and monitor the group in a way that is similar to the function of the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa). So, we will provide what the disabled need besides providing quality facilities.
“So, I appeal and request that the government establishes this department to uphold the dignity of the disabled in future,” he said.
In addition, Isaiah also suggested the government establish a special library for these special groups, especially the visually impaired and those with hearing and speech disabilities.
“These people have to use specially designed tools, so with the establishment of such a library, it can give awareness to the public regarding the operation of these tools,” he said.
Elsewhere, Senator Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan suggested the government consider reviewing the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission Bill to punish those who play with the 3R (race, religion, and royal institutions) sentiment issues.
“Racial unity (is) the main key to national progress. Therefore, it is timely to (enact) a bill related to the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission. This shows the Madani Government’s determination to reduce racial and religious sentiments,” he said.
Low added that the law is important to create an ecosystem to prevent racism and discrimination following the continuous narrative of racial and religious sentiments that are being played today, which could fan the flames of hatred and racial division.
In 2020, the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission bill was discontinued after then-national unity minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique said in the Dewan Rakyat that existing laws are sufficient to deal with issues related to religion and race.
— Bernama
