I refer to the Malaysiakini report Power tariff hike: 'IPPs get rich, rakyat made to pay' .

It would certainly be interesting to know how our honorable cabinet ministers make decisions on the quantum of tariff hike. I believe the basis should be on the quality of service rendered to all consumers.

As a guide, here is what the residents of Taman Bersatu, Sungai Petani experienced throughout the years, especially this recent Chinese New Year period.  The following examples were unannounced and sudden power cuts (courtesy of TNB) experienced by residents of Taman Bersatu, Sungai Petani, Kedah:

- Feb 9 and 10, 2010 - power cut for about two hours from 8-10pm

- Feb 12 - blackout in the night till the early morning

- Feb 13,  Chinese New Year Eve - ‘on and off’ right into the night past dinner time. The reunion dinner for many of us was partly in the dark. As you can guess, the traditional reunion dinner of steam boat is definitely not for the residents here!

- Feb 16 - power was down from around 3pm to about 9pm.

- Feb 17 - power cut from around 2.15pm to 7.10pm.

- Feb 18t - power cut in some areas at around 11pm

- From Feb 18 to 21 - fluctuating power supply that 'trips' the meter of many households in some areas

- Feb 22 - power cut from from about 9.30am lasting for over an hour

- Feb 23 - power cut from 12.25am to 1.45am

According to our records, during the Chinese New Year eve in 2008, many residents also were forced to hold their reunion dinners in the dark. Throughout the years, unannounced power cut, failures and fluctuating power were experienced

So what do you think the tariff hike should be for the residents of Taman Bersatu? Why do you think TNB has never extended any apologies to the residents and has continued with their

unannounced power cuts to the area?

We can only hope that the our honorable cabinet ministers will look into the performance of their services and TNB's commitment in maintaining power supply to all residents. The residents of Taman Bersatu certainly do not think that TNB deserve a sen of increase.