Kota Kinabalu: The Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) refuted claims in social media that it imposed exorbitant fees for electrical installation registrations.
ECoS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ir Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid said the figures quoted in several viral videos likely reflect charges imposed by private consultants or contractors and not ECoS.
“These payments do not go to ECoS, which is a regulatory authority, not a commercial entity,” he stressed.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});He explained that consultant and contractor fees are determined by market forces and negotiated directly between installation owners and their chosen service providers.
To assist consumers, ECoS provides a comprehensive directory of certified consultants and contractors on its official website, enabling owners to make informed and competitive choices.
Abdul Nasser also assured owners of installations previously registered under the former Energy Commission (ST) and which have retained their original configuration.
In such cases, a simple declaration will suffice — without the need to re-submit documents such as Form G (completion certificate), Form H (testing certificate) or single-line diagrams.
“We are committed to making the registration process as clear and accessible as possible,” he said.
“Owners can complete the process independently via the ECoS Online System portal, which could reduce the need for costly third-party assistance.”
The clarification comes amid increased public attention following the implementation of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024, which mandates the registration of electrical installations, including standby generators.
Nasser stressed that this requirement is not new, but a continuation of existing regulations previously enforced by ST under the Electricity Supply Act 1990.
“Registration is essential for verifying installation safety.
“It allows ECoS to review documentation, assess processes and carry out inspections or testing by qualified personnel when needed,” he said.
Addressing public concern over costs, Nasser reiterated that ECoS imposes only one annual registration fee, as outlined under the Electricity Supply Regulations 2024.
The rates remain unchanged from the previous structure under ST, ranging from RM30 for installations below 10kW, to RM3,000 for those above 5,000kW.
The Commission encourages the public to reach out directly for any clarifications, reiterating that safety remains the top priority in ensuring all installations across Sabah comply with regulated standards.
Parti Warisan's Tanjung Aru Assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong claimed that the Sabah GRS-PH government was burdening businesses and households with unnecessary generator registration fees, instead of focusing on fixing the state's power issues.
In his social media post, Wong listed alleged costs, including a RM2,000 licence application fee, RM2,000 to RM6,500 for drawing submission, RM2,500 to RM10,000 for G and H forms, and RM500 to RM1,000 for annual licence renewals, questioning why these fees were being imposed during challenging economic times.
