Rebates on electrical items

Malaysians can expect rebates of up to RM200 for electrical appliances they buy after July but these items must be rated five-star in terms of energy efficiency.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin said the rebates were part of the Sustainability Achieved Via Energy Efficiency (SAVE) programme to be launched on July 7.
For a start, he said the rebates would be for refrigerators and air conditioners for the domestic sector and chillers for businesses.
The rebates would be given at the point of sale and the retailers would then claim the amount from the Government, he said after launching an energy efficiency forum here yesterday.

Seeing the light: Chin (centre) explaining the benefits of energy-saving bulbs to People Development Leaders in Kota Kinabalu Thursday.

Chin said the SAVE programme was among the initiatives undertaken as part of the National Key Economic Area (NKEA) through Entry Point Project 9.
He said the implementation of SAVE was possible with the Energy Commissions rating system of one to five stars for electric appliances in the country.
Currently, the rating is available for selected appliances including refrigerators, air conditioners, television sets and fans.
Chin also said the Government's decision to curb the sale of incandescent light bulbs in the country from January 2014 was final. It is part of the Government's effort to promote efficient energy use.
The use of energy-saving light bulbs would translate to a 1% reduction in electricity demand nationally or 732,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, he added.
He also said his ministry was holding discussions with the Sabah government on a proposed revision of electricity tariffs in the state where rates had not been increased for nearly 25 years.