Tawau Residents Continue To Grapple In Dark With Impacts Of Power Outage

By Khatijah Jistoh

TAWAU, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- Thousands of residents in Tawau continue to grapple with prolonged electricity outages following a major disruption involving both Line 1 and Line 2 of the 275kV Kolopis–Segaliud transmission network since last Saturday.

The blackout, which began on Saturday evening, has resulted in rotational power rationing lasting between eight to 16 hours daily, a situation that persists as of today.

Muhd Jauhar, 36, a resident of Bandar Sri Indah, described the first day of the outage as particularly difficult, with power cut for a full 16 hours.

“On Saturday, the electricity went out at 5.30 pm and only came back at 11.30 am the next day. Then on Sunday, there was another blackout from 5 pm to 1 am.

“Today, the power was cut again as early as 8.30 am, and we still don’t know when it will be restored,” he told Bernama.

He said that mobile and internet connectivity were also affected during the outage.

“This is not a minor inconvenience. It disrupted daily life,” said Jauhar, who works as a clerk.

Meanwhile, Batu 10 resident Abdul Hadi Mahar, 55, expressed frustration over the ongoing utilities crisis.

“It’s a full package of problems here - water rationing for days, now long hours of electricity cuts, and at the same time, mobile networks are down.

“I really hope the government is listening. We’re struggling. These issues need real solutions, not just promises,” he said.

For e-hailing driver Alfian Daus, 39, the blackout has had a direct impact on his income.

“The internet keeps dropping. How am I supposed to get passengers? Even they can’t access the app or make calls.

“On normal days, I can make at least RM50, but yesterday I earned nothing. No rides, no income,” he lamented, urging Sabah Electricity to urgently address the root cause of the disruption.

Bernama checks found that several areas, including Batu 10, Batu 15, and parts of the town centre, are experiencing ongoing power rationing.

Mariati Sunding, 28, an employee at a convenience store in Ba Zhong Commercial Centre, said the store had to close due to the outage.

“It’s dark and hot in there, we had no choice but to shut down. The power has been out since this morning, and many other businesses nearby are closed too,” she said.

Yesterday, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) CEO Datuk Mohd Yaakob Jaafar said approximately 70,000 users across Sabah’s east coast would be affected during the power restoration period.

-- BERNAMA