FEARFUL of public backlash such as what Tenaga Nasional Berhad is facing now, Sarawak utility companies have gone on a public relations offensive, forewarning their consumers that their June bills could be “high”.

The state’s water management boards had in recent days began to reach out to consumers to explain how and why their bills could high.

Laku Management Sdn Bhd, the state government company responsible for the production, distribution of potable water and collection of water revenue in Miri, Bintulu and Limbang, started its outreach today.

Laku Management said during the movement control order (MCO) period from March 18 to May 12, their meter readers were not authorised to go house to house to carry out their jobs.

The company said as a result, monthly water bills had been “system-estimated/generated based on consumer’s historical average consumption for March, April and May”.

“With this estimation, your bills may be slightly over or under estimated.”

Laku (Lembaga Air Kawasan Utara) said their meter readers have since May 13 started working so bills for this month, “based on actual reading”, could be higher.

The Sibu Water Board (SWB) had started five days ago.

Sarawak has four water supply companies – Kuching Water Board (KWB), SWB, Laku and the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB).

The state’s power company, Sarawak Energy Behad (SEB), was the first to go on the “understanding” drive by warning consumers that their bills this month could be high due to adjustments made to the “underestimated bills issued during MCO from March to May”.

SEB said those consumers who are concerned over their estimated readings, could rectify the situation by taking a snapshot of their meter readings and sending it to the company.

SEB said “actual reading” can be emailed to their customer service centres. – June 23, 2020.