02/07/2025

WEDNESDAY | JULY 2, 2025

3 TNB bills get makeover with detailed cost breakdown

Govt to boost internet connectivity on highways GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will collaborate with the Malaysian Highway Authority to identify nearly 50km of roads nationwide that have no telecommunications coverage. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the initiative is part of the government’s commitment to the principle of “where there’s a road, there’s internet”, aimed at improving connectivity along highways across the country. “There are several key locations under discussion, and my hope is that they can be included in Phase Two of the National Digital Network Plan or Jendela. “Many of the sites will likely require new towers. Insya Allah , we will assist,” Fahmi told reporters this after launching the YES six-way 4G Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) Tower at Tanjung Asam in Bayan Lepas yesterday. Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and Bayan Lepas assemblyman Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz, who is also Penang Legislative Assembly deputy speaker. The MOCN project supports the ministry’s vision for a Network Infrastructure Sharing Framework which brings together all network operators to improve mobile internet coverage for the public. The seamless coverage across the Tanjung Asam coastal corridor provided by the MOCN Tower benefits more than 500 residents and 350 daily commuters, including nearby fishing villages and underserved communities. Fahmi also said the ministry is aiming to implement a proof of concept for direct-to-cell technology via Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites in several locations during the third or fourth quarter of this year. – Bernama Umno general assembly put off to November KUALA LUMPUR: The 2025 Umno general assembly, originally scheduled for next month, has been postponed to Nov 26-29 in view of preparations for the upcoming Sabah state election. Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, in a statement, said this was decided during the Umno supreme council meeting on Monday. The meeting, chaired by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was also attended by vice-presidents Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, and other supreme council members. In March, the Umno supreme council had set this year’s general assembly for Aug 20-23. The five-year term of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly is scheduled to expire automatically on Nov 11, paving the way for the 17th state election. Asyraf Wajdi said Umno will conduct a mid-term review on the effectiveness and performance of the unity government, including the achievements of the Umno leadership within the administration and in government-linked and affiliated agencies. – Bernama

o Revised format and tariff structure designed to enhance transparency, boost customer awareness, enable them to better understand electricity charges and manage monthly usage

KUALA Nasional

LUMPUR:

fuel costs, generation capacity and global fuel price adjustments. Network charge involves operational costs for transmission and supply system maintenance, while retail charge includes customer service, billing and account management costs,” the website said. The detailed billing format is designed to enhance transparency and enable customers to better understand the structure of their electricity charges. The website said the move will allow customers to track and analyse every sen spent on their electricity usage, empowering them to make more informed decisions on daily energy management. For the July bill, customers will receive a transitional bill reflecting two sets of usage charges for different periods – up to June 30 for charges calculated under the old tariff and from July 1 for charges on the new tariff structure. “The July 2025 transitional bill will be available within 24 hours via the myTNB app and portal, while printed bills will be delivered within seven working days from the meter reading date,” the website said. To ensure transparency and clarity for customers, TNB will issue a verification slip from the meter reader to confirm that meter readings have been done. From next month onwards, all customers will begin receiving monthly bills under the fully revised format. Additionally, to help users adapt to the changes, TNB has provided an online electricity bill calculator on its website to enable customers to estimate their bills based on usage and the new tariff rates. For more information, visit www.mytnb.com.my/tariff or contact TNB CareLine at 1300-88-5454 or visit any Kedai Tenaga branch nationwide.

Tenaga

Berhad (TNB) customers can now scrutinise their electricity usage with a new and more detailed bill format following the implementation of a new electricity tariff structure recently announced by the Energy Commission. The new format, implemented in line with the government approved Incentive-Based Regulation (IBR) mechanism under Section 26 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990, aims to enhance billing transparency and enable customers to better

breakdown main components: generation charge, network charge and retail charge, reported Bernama. “Generation charge covers of three

understand how their energy usage translates into cost. According to TNB’s official myTNB website, customers will receive bills that include a

A consumer comparing the current format with the new detailed billing, which is available on myTNB app and portal. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

‘Five-day notice rule violates peaceful assembly right’ PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court five-member bench yesterday ruled that a provision under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA) – which penalises organisers for failing to give police five days’ prior notice before holding an assembly – is unconstitutional. as validly restricting the right guaranteed to all citizens by Article 10(2)(b). “Subsection 9(5), therefore, violates the right to peaceful assembly under Article 10(1)(b) and must be struck down as null and void under Article 4(1),” she said. The ruling followed a constitutional challenge on littoral combat ship project acquisition. The other judges on the bench were Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, Federal Court judges Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan, Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang and Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali. The court then ordered that Amir Hariri’s case be remitted to the High Court to be justly and expeditiously disposed of. The questions touched on whether Section 9(5) of the PAA 2012 violates the right to freedom of assembly as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

On Aug 26, 2022, Amir Hariri pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court. He was charged, as the organiser of the rally, with failing to notify Dang Wangi district police five days prior to holding the event held on Aug 14, 2022. He was charged under Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, punishable under Section 9(5) of the same Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 upon conviction. – Bernama

Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who chaired the panel, said Section 9(5) of the PAA is unconstitutional for it is inconsistent with Article 10(2)(b) read with Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution. “We find that subsection 9(5) is not validly enacted under Article 10(2)(b) and it cannot be deemed

punishment under Section 9(5) of the PAA by former Muda secretary general Amir Hariri Abd Hadi, who was charged in 2022 for failing to notify the Dang Wangi district police five days prior to holding a rally in front of the Sogo Shopping Complex at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur, over the

In August last year, the High Court allowed Amir’s application to refer two constitutional questions to the Federal Court regarding the charge against him for organising the 2022 rally.