KOTA KINABALU: Traders and premises owners at Sabah’s largest shopping mall breathed a huge sigh of relief when air conditioning at the building resumed 10 days after the electricity supply was cut off due to unpaid utility arrears.
The situation was thanks to the management the 1Borneo Hypermall being able to pay some of the arrears in its utility bills.
A total of RM3.5 million has been paid to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) on Friday to restore the power supply to 1Borneo, which is Sabah's largest mall.
A survey by the New Straits Times Press yesterday revealed that the shopping complex area was operating as usual. Business owners were no longer using fans at their premises or kiosks.
Restaurant owner Zulfaizal Joumi, 31, said the return of airconditioning has gotten rid of their worries over patrons feeling hot or uncomfortable when eating there.
“I hope the management can solve this arrears issue as soon as possible so we do not face power cuts in future,” he said.
On July 11, SESB cut the power supply to the mall after the management failed to settle outstanding bills despite several warning notices, but it only affected air conditioning as lighting were still on.
A total of RM9.3 million is owed by the shopping mall’s management, 1Borneo Management Corporation Sdn Bhd, towards SESB.
The 1Borneo Hypermall Shoplot Owners’ Association (1BOSA) stepped in to help pay some of the arrears on Friday.
Meanwhile, the mall’s management said they have reached an agreement with SESB for a settlement proposal on the outstanding payment owed to utility company.
“The mall’s management would like to express our great gratitude towards Datuk Peter Anthony, Datuk Azis Jamman, Azhar Matussin and Jimmy Wong for their tireless effort on behind the scenes on negotiations with SESB to work out an agreeable settlement proposal to keep 1Borneo operating.
“With their presence in this matter, SESB was able to come to an agreement with a settlement proposal.
“Their great effort has truly saved the jobs of thousands of workers. It is keeping businesses alive and helping shoplot owners maintain value in their assets at the 1Borneo Hypermall. Without their effort 1Borneo Hypermall would have ceased operations and many livelihoods would be affected,” the management said in a statement.
They also thanked Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their assistance, as well as shoplot owners who assisted them during this period.
