According to sources, the utility company reconnected power to the building around 3.30pm after the management of the biggest shopping mall in Sabah paid RM3.5 million, or a third of the total amount it owed SESB.

It was learnt that RM500,000 of the total payment was raised by the 1Borneo Hypermall Shoplot Owners’ Association (1BOSA) in the building, with a further RM100,000 to be paid monthly until the 12th month.

After that, a total of RM150,000 is to be settled monthly with SESB until the arrears are paid.

SESB sources said the company received the payment around 3pm and power was restored half an hour later.

It was further said that the initial amount of RM9.3 million which 1Borneo owed SESB, as reported in June, may be more now because the amount was based on the mall’s electricity bill in June.

This month’s bill would mean the amount may have increased.

The 1Borneo Hypermall management paid RM700,000 to SESB on June 27, which was the bill for the previous month after SESB workers disconnected power that day.

However, the management company again failed to pay the bills, leaving SESB with no choice but to cut power on July 11.

The power cut only affected the air-conditioning system while lights in the common areas were unaffected.

On Tuesday, 1Borneo Management Corporation (1BMC) stated the 1Borneo Hypermall may be forced to shut down if the company was unable to reach an amicable settlement with SESB.

A survey at the 1Borneo Hypermall today saw many shops putting up special offers to lure the few customers that visited but the mall was largely quiet leading to rumours that tenants were considering closing shop and moving elsewhere.

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