POWER utility company Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has appealed to contractors to suspend excavation work for a day on polling day Saturday to avoid potential power disruptions. 

TNB, which said it has taken steps to ensure there will be no blackouts or disruption of power in all 6,623 polling centres and 165 vote-tallying centres in the peninsula on polling day, said excavation work could damage underground power cables.

In a statement, TNB chief distribution network officer Wan Nazmy Wan Mahmood, said the utility company had even asked its contractors to suspend such work from yesterday. 

“Our advice is to suspend the excavation work but if it is not possible, then adhere to all the procedures that have been laid out to minimise the risk of hitting the underground cables,” he added. 

Wan Nazmy also said TNB has made technical preparations to ensure there are no disruptions to the power supply to the polling and counting centres. 

He added TNB is also working with the Election Commission, the Public Works Department and local government authorities in all states on their electricity needs at all polling and vote-tallying centres. 

“We have taken all the necessary steps. God willing, everything will be under control,” he added. – November 17, 2022.