SANDAKAN: The Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) has revised its generator inspection schedule following constructive engagement with local stakeholders, Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee said on Monday.
The policy adjustment comes after a series of meetings, including a crucial session on June 26 and a follow-up presentation by ECoS Chief Operating Officer Ridwan Saham at Vivian’s parliamentary office on July 4.
Revised Inspection Schedule – Generators below 600V: Quarterly inspections (previously more frequent), Generators 600V-11kV: Monthly inspections and Generators 11kV-132kV: Reduced from weekly to bi-weekly inspections.
These changes, implemented under Regulation 72 of the Electricity Supply Regulations 2024, address longstanding concerns from businesses and residents about excessive regulatory burdens.
“This demonstrates ECoS’s willingness to listen and adapt regulations to real-world conditions,” Vivian stated. “The revised framework maintains safety standards while reducing financial and administrative pressures on technicians and generator owners.”
ECoS officials emphasized that periodic inspections remain critical for electrical safety, particularly to prevent dangerous current conflicts when backup generators interact with main power supplies. Automatic circuit breaker failures could otherwise lead to overloads or hazardous incidents.
Vivian acknowledged this balance, noting: “Safety is non-negotiable, but we must continually evaluate how to achieve both safety and practicality in our regulations.”
The revised policy reflects Sabah’s evolving approach to energy regulation, combining robust safety protocols with operational flexibility for the state’s diverse electrical infrastructure needs. – James Leong
Vivian Wong (3rd right), with her aides and ECoS officers at the recent meeting.
