Chong shows the injunction letter.
KUCHING (Sept 25): A court-ordered temporary injunction against Syarikat Sesco Berhad (Sesco) has been obtained by Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen to prohibit the utility company from cutting off electricity supply to a house owned by an elderly woman here.
At a virtual press conference here Friday, Chong said the matter was due to an alleged outstanding payment of RM34,000 which he said Sesco demanded the complainant to settle on or before Sept 25.
On the outstanding payment, Chong said that Sesco had changed electricity at her house three times in 2011, 2013 and 2015, without any notice to the owner of the house. He said Sesco, through three letters, then told the owner that she still owed the company RM43,000
The owner, through her son, protested and negotiated with Sesco as she is currently ill and in need of medical equipment in the house operated by electricity.
“After negotiations, in 2017 there was a sort of an agreement between them and the owner paid RM9,000 in full and final settlement as she did not want to enter into lengthy argument with Sesco.
“Sesco didn’t bother them for two years but in 2019 Sesco came again saying there is RM34,000 left to pay. The owner was in shock and surprised that there was still outstanding amount, ” Chong said.
About two weeks ago, the woman’s son asked for Chong’s help and he had filed an action in court on Sept 21 for declaration that Sesco is not entitled to the RM34,000.
He also said that he had written to Sesco to inform that the matter has been brought to court and called for the company to stop from disconnecting the electricity supply until the court came out with a decision to determine whether she should or should not pay.
“To my surprise, Sesco replied on Sept 22 that they are going to disconnect unless a court order is obtained. Sesco is very inhumane, very inconsiderate, very cold blooded in handling this matter,” he said.
He then said the the action was filed yesterday and got the court hearing and a court injunction to stop Sesco.
The next hearing is set on Oct 8, with both parties and their legal counsels to argue their case before the court.