Utilities & Services
Everything you need to know about paying for power, water, internet, and other essential services in Sabah. This page includes current tariffs, contact numbers, and the fastest ways to pay your bills.
Electricity (SESB)
💡 Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB)
Sole providerElectricity Tariffs (Domestic)
Sabah uses a tiered tariff system. The more you use, the higher the rate per unit (kWh):
| Usage (kWh/month) | Rate per kWh | Typical Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 kWh | 21.8 sen | Small flat, minimal air-con |
| 101–200 kWh | 33.4 sen | Average household, some air-con |
| 201–300 kWh | 51.6 sen | Family home, regular air-con |
| 301–600 kWh | 54.6 sen | Large house, heavy air-con |
| 601–900 kWh | 57.1 sen | Very high usage |
| 901+ kWh | 60.4 sen | — |
Minimum monthly charge: RM3.00. Tariffs as of 2025 — subject to periodic review by the Energy Commission.
Air conditioning is your biggest power cost. Set AC to 24–25°C instead of 16°C — it uses up to 40% less electricity. Use fans with AC. Set a timer for night use. Each degree lower costs approximately 6% more energy.
Water (JANS)
💧 Jabatan Air Negeri Sabah (JANS)
State water supplyWater Tariffs (Domestic)
| Usage (m³/month) | Rate per m³ |
|---|---|
| 0–20 m³ | RM0.35 |
| 21–40 m³ | RM0.65 |
| 41+ m³ | RM1.05 |
Minimum monthly charge: RM5.00. Most households use 15–30 m³/month.
JANS regularly schedules maintenance and Sabah experiences water disruptions, especially during dry season (March–May). Keep water reserves at home — a water tank or at minimum a few large containers. Check the JANS website for disruption notices.
Internet Providers
Fibre internet is expanding in Sabah but remains limited to urban areas. Here's a comparison of what's available:
| Provider | Type | Speed | Price/month | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM Unifi | Fibre | 100–800 Mbps | RM99–249 | KK, Sandakan, Tawau, major towns |
| CelcomDigi Fibre | Fibre | 100–500 Mbps | RM99–199 | Select urban areas |
| Maxis Fibre | Fibre | 100–500 Mbps | RM99–189 | KK, Sandakan, Tawau |
| ANT Broadband | Wireless | 10–50 Mbps | RM99–199 | Rural Sabah (great for areas without fibre) |
| Starlink | Satellite | 50–200 Mbps | RM220/mo + RM2,300 equipment | Anywhere (best for remote/rural) |
Mobile Telecoms
| Provider | Sabah Coverage | Prepaid From | Postpaid From | Customer Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CelcomDigi | ⭐ Best overall (urban + rural) | RM35/mo | RM60/mo | 1111 |
| Maxis / Hotlink | Good in towns, limited rural | RM35/mo | RM68/mo | 123 |
| U Mobile | Urban only, good value | RM25/mo | RM50/mo | 018-388 1318 |
| Unifi Mobile | Towns (CelcomDigi roaming) | RM29/mo | RM59/mo | 100 |
| Yes 5G | KK only (5G expanding) | — | RM69/mo | 018-988 1111 |
Tourist SIM recommendation: Buy a CelcomDigi prepaid SIM at the airport (KKIA arrivals) for RM15–30. Gives you data + calls + best Sabah coverage. Top up via any convenience store.
Gas (LPG)
Sabah doesn't have piped gas. All cooking gas is via LPG cylinders (tong gas). Available from petrol stations, hardware shops, and gas delivery services.
| Cylinder Size | Subsidised Price | Market Price | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 kg | RM27.00 | RM35–42 | 4–8 weeks (household of 2–4) |
| 50 kg | RM88.50 (commercial) | RM120–150 | Restaurant/commercial use |
Subsidised price applies with MyKad registration. Non-citizens pay market price. Prices set by the government and reviewed quarterly.
Waste & Recycling
Waste collection in Kota Kinabalu is managed by Berjaya Kitar Emas (BKE). Other districts are managed by local councils (Majlis Daerah).
| Service | Contact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BKE (KK waste) | 088-436 887 | Collection 3x/week for residential areas |
| DBKK Complaints | 088-527 600 | City Hall — report missed collections, illegal dumping |
| Recycling drop-off | — | Limited. Drop-off points at some supermarkets (Aeon, Giant) |
Bill Payment Quick Reference
The fastest way to pay any utility bill in Sabah:
📱 JomPAY (Recommended)
Pay via any Malaysian banking app. Enter the biller code + your account number. Payments processed within 1 business day.
🏦 Online Banking
Most banks have SESB and TM as registered billers. Set up auto-debit to never miss a payment.
📮 Post Office
Cash payment accepted for SESB and JANS bills at any post office. Bring the physical bill or your account number.
🏢 Counter Payment
SESB and JANS offices accept walk-in payments. SESB: Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm. JANS: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q Why does Sabah have so many power outages?
Sabah's power infrastructure has historically been underdeveloped compared to Peninsular Malaysia. Key reasons:
- Ageing infrastructure — Many substations and transmission lines are decades old
- Geographic challenges — Vast distances between population centres make maintenance difficult
- Growing demand — Population and industrial growth outpacing grid upgrades
- Weather — Thunderstorms and heavy rain cause tree falls and equipment damage
SESB has been investing in grid upgrades. To report outages: call 15454 (24hr toll-free).
Q How do I set up utilities when moving into a new home in Sabah?
Here's the checklist:
- Electricity (SESB): Visit SESB office with tenancy agreement, MyKad/passport, landlord letter. Processing: 3–5 working days. Deposit: RM200–500 depending on property type.
- Water (JANS): Visit JANS office with tenancy agreement, MyKad/passport. Deposit: RM100–300.
- Internet: Apply online at TM (unifi.com.my) or Celcom/Maxis. Installation: 5–14 days. Check coverage at your address first!
Most landlords keep utilities connected and you take over the account. Ask your landlord for the handover process.
Q Which mobile provider has the best coverage in Sabah?
For overall Sabah coverage, here's the ranking:
- CelcomDigi — Best overall coverage across Sabah (post-merger). Strongest in rural/interior areas.
- Maxis/Hotlink — Good in KK and major towns. Coverage drops quickly in rural areas.
- U Mobile — Good value plans but coverage limited to urban areas.
- Unifi Mobile (TM) — Decent in towns, uses CelcomDigi network for roaming.
If you're heading to remote areas (Kinabatangan, Danum Valley, islands), CelcomDigi is your safest bet. Even then, expect no signal in some jungle areas.
Q Is fibre internet available outside of KK?
TM Unifi fibre is expanding but still limited outside major towns. Current fibre availability:
- Available: Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Keningau (select areas)
- Limited: Papar, Tuaran, Beaufort, Ranau (town centres only)
- Not available: Most rural and interior areas
Alternatives for non-fibre areas: ANT Broadband (wireless, rural Sabah), Starlink (satellite, anywhere), or mobile hotspot with CelcomDigi 5G/4G.
Q How much is the average monthly utility bill in Sabah?
For a typical 3-bedroom house/apartment in KK:
- Electricity: RM150–400/month (depends heavily on air-con usage)
- Water: RM20–50/month
- Internet (fibre): RM99–189/month
- Mobile phone: RM35–80/month (prepaid) or RM60–150/month (postpaid)
- Gas (LPG): RM27 per 14kg cylinder (subsidised price)
Total estimate: RM350–850/month for a household of 2–4 people.
Q What is JomPAY and how do I use it?
JomPAY is Malaysia's national bill payment system. You can pay virtually any bill through your banking app using the biller code and your account number.
How to use: Open your banking app → Find JomPAY or Bill Payment → Enter the biller code → Enter your account/reference number → Confirm payment.
Key biller codes for Sabah: SESB (3893), JANS (check bill), TM/Unifi (check bill). Payments are processed within 1 business day.
Sources & References 7 sources
Last verified: March 2026