The affected districts are Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna, Beluran and Kinabatangan.

The disruption has also led to water cuts in the affected districts as water treatment plants are unable to operate.

The cause of the disruption has yet to be determined.

“Sabah Electricity is working on restoring the electricity supply in these affected areas.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused and ask for your patience and cooperation. Updates will be given from time to time,” it said in a Facebook post.

Last Monday, Sabah Electricity chairman Wilfred Madius Tangau said the Bornean state could face a statewide blackout from next January if the federal government does not provide urgent financial support.

Tangau, an MP from Pakatan Harapan component Upko, expressed concern over insufficient funds allocated in the 2025 federal budget to subsidise Sabah Electricity’s operations.

He cited a letter from the Energy Commission of Sabah informing him that the additional RM866 million electricity subsidy given last year would not be considered this year due to fiscal constraints.

Since 2014, Sabah’s electricity tariff has been fixed at a subsidised rate of 34.52 sen per kWh, while the cost of power generation and procurement has increased.

Sabah Electricity generates only 20% of the state’s power, relying on independent power producers for the remaining 80% at a higher cost, creating a financial gap covered by federal subsidies.