Perak Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has assured consumers in the state that a fairer calculation of the tariff rate for electricity usage will be worked out within a week.

NONE State PKR vice-chairperson Chang Lih Kang and several DAP leaders were told this during an hour-long discussion with TNB general manager Mohd Zahir Mohd Nagor in Ipoh today.

“TNB has asked for a week to improve its calculation and come up with a fairer tariff rate,” Chang later told Malaysiakini.

He was unsure if the new rate would be applicable to all states.

“Mohd Zahir also said he would raise the request for a refund with the headquarters, in relation to over-charging in previous bills based on the bi-monthly tariff. A rebate may be offered to consumers for the April electricity bill,” said Chang.

The state TNB started the bi-monthly billing system last September, claiming to be short-staffed and not being able to send out meter-readers every month.

As a result, where higher accumulated usage exceeded 400 kilowatt-hours, TNB was able to charge consumers a higher tariff.

Consumers from Johor Baru, Penang, Port Dickson, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur have added to the chorus of complaints after the problem was highlighted yesterday.

Tenaga 'extra-high bills' not confined to Perak