Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today refuted speculations that Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) will be split into smaller companies.

ong tee keat chinese new year celebration at pandan 240213 najib He said the government decided at the National Economic Council meeting that it would not at all split the power utility giant.

"I am giving an assurance that the government will ensure that the TNB will remain as the premier power supply and distributor entity in the country.

"The government would like to see TNB grow as the leading regional player (in power generation and distribution)," he said when speaking at the "Prime Minister's Working Visit to TNB" in Kuala Lumpur today.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, was commenting on speculations over TNB's operations, which are currently divided into three sections - power generation, transmission and distribution.

The prime minister said TNB as a utility company should remain efficient and reliable and achieve high productivity in order to be known as a dynamic and viable organisation.

He said TNB has a very important role in implementing the transformation plan by providing sufficient electricity supply now as well as in the future.

"The light must always be on at all times in whatever condition," he said, adding the government is aware consumers want quality electricity at a reasonable tariff.

"If this is successful, it would aid the country's transformation which would enhance the confidence of the people and investors," said Najib, who also commended TNB for reducing power disruptions by 40 percent and raising efficiency by 20 percent.

Meanwhile, he said PR1MA and TNB have agreed to develop an eight-acre (3.24ha) piece of TNB-owned land in Kajang, Selangor near the MRT station, and also gave an assurance that the prices of houses to be built there would be below market rates.

- Bernama