Deputy president Dr Maximus Ongkili said although LLS was privatised and renamed SESB two years ago, there was no significant improvement in the quality of services provided to customers.

"Power breakdowns are still common in the city and especially in small towns like Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas and Bukit Garam while at the same time SESB has been over-zealous in cutting supply if outstanding bills are not paid on time by customers. Thus far the privatisation exercise has not led to any significant improvement in services," he claimed.

Dr Ongkili was participating in the debate at the committee stage in Parliament on the allocation for the Ministry of Energy, Communication and Multimedia in the Budget 2000 which received RM256.6 million for supply and development expenditure.

He also alleged that the constant power breakdowns in rural towns had led to destruction of household appliances such as fridge, television sets and computers in consumers' homes and asked the Ministry to clarify the procedures involved in filing claims for compensation.

The Bandau MP also requested the ministry to disclose the financial position of SESB subsequent to the privatisation exercise, and queried why as a private company it continued to receive RM220 million in allocation from the government, representing roughly 85% of the total budget of the Ministry for the year.

On electricity rates, Dr Ongkili urged the government to review the high charges imposed on Sabah consumers, stressing that "the high electricity tariff is one of the factors contributing to the high cost of doing business in Sabah thereby hindering potential investors."