PLN threatens to cut service

BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: State electricity firm PLN has threatened to stop its service to thousands of consumers here for failing to pay electricity bills.

Consumers in the city of Balikpapan and the regency of Pasir have yet to pay electricity bills amounting to Rp 1.3 billion as of December last year.

Head of PLN's East Kalimantan office Made Brata said on Wednesday PLN would have to take firm measures if the consumers did not settle their debts this month.

"Possibly, the consumers were too busy in December to pay the electricity bill," Brata said, referring to the holidays of Idul Fitri and Christmas.

According to him, his office suffered up to Rp 2 billion in losses per month, excluding the extra production cost.

He said that if consumers paid their electricity bills it would ease PLN's burden and help PLN sustain its service. -- Antara