Johor bahru: Global energy supply disruptions are now exhibiting a lagging effect, as the impact, concentrated on the petrol market since last March, begins to spread to natural gas and coal. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir stated that this effect is starting to influence electricity generation costs directly, particularly impacting consumers with monthly electricity usage exceeding 600 kilowatt-hours (kWh).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Akmal mentioned, "We now see the impact has spread to other energy supplies, including the prices of natural gas, coal and others," during an event in Johor Bahru. The fluctuations affecting consumers using over 600 kWh are based on fuel costs, specifically the Automated Fuel Adjustment (AFA), which mirrors fuel prices.

Akmal elaborated that the challenge lies in the lagging effect of energy supply disruptions, which initially began with petrol and are now being increasingly felt in other energy sectors. This typically takes three to four months before impacting current electricity tariffs, particularly concerning natural gas, which is a primary energy-generating fuel.

He discussed the retrospective impact of energy consumption in July and August, noting that the cost of fuel used for electricity generation has surged. Despite this, Akmal reassured that the current tariff-setting mechanism protects most small-scale domestic consumers from direct effects.

Akmal highlighted that under the existing tariff structure, consumers using below 600 kWh per month remain unaffected in terms of tariffs or supply prices. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is reviewing other aspects of the mechanism to alleviate the burden on the people.

To address the ongoing global energy crisis, Akmal announced that the Prime Minister plans to convene a special meeting to reassess the tariff situation. He also noted that recent unfavourable weather conditions are indirectly contributing to an increase in daily energy consumption, as people are advised to stay indoors, potentially leading to higher energy usage.