I live in apartment, there is one unit which is still using the old meter when everyone else changed to smart meter. When I ask the TNB guys doing maintenance one day, they say if they are using the old meter 'mesti ada sebab'.

So I think it is not compulsary. But you probably not allowed to opt out if you ask TNB.

https://www.nst.com.my/amp/news/nation/2023...ngs-penang-june

read this news for Penang, but ask around nobody in that area get install yet

yeah and with smart meter we can monitor the actual usage which is quite helpful, recently changed my room ac from 1.5hp non inverter to 2.0hp inverter. The bill significantly dropped again snd can monitor real time which is good

some of my neighbours 'opted' not to change (when the neighborhood changed to smart meter before COVID).

but I did see the TNB 'enforcing' them to change a few weeks back.

funny thing is.. there's still meter reader walking around every month..

My community has around 600 houses, has replaced to this smart meter since 2 years ago, I don't face issue of 'new meter increase your bill $$', so far didn't heard anyone else complain about this problem as well.

i prefer old meter. 3-phase. can see the load on each phase.

surprisingly, new meter, cannot see phase-by-phase. only lump sum. i confirmed with tnb.

useful for load balancing.

TNB oredi say new smart meter more accurate reading....so yeah, 1 way or the other, they will insist you must change to new smart meter

indeed for them... higher pay for me bill increase tremendously after change

Heard some says bill increased while some says decreased.
Probably due to old meter calibration not correct.

small current leak below RCCB rating but detect and bill by smart meter 24 x 7 x 30

they will notice any obstructions on wire poles, like excessive tree growth.

TNB won't change until the situation is settled while a case is ongoing if the old meter is discovered and suspected of being tampered with. It is not because the customer can choose to opt-out.

Would these smart meters stop the rampant meter tampering devices?

Apartment meter should be all in one central place?
Actually they just need use clamp meter then can know if there's any "special activity" going on.

Yes it is still possible.

Old meter mechanical, smart meter everything mostly digital and electronic, both can be tempering, just smart meter after being tempering much more significant obviously and easy to Trace

Possible your old meter degraded so reading not accurate or being tempering usually tnb will closed one eye when their ppl replace to smart meter those guy just lucky

Smart meter any billing missing or wrong premise delivered you still can via app/mytnbportal to check your current transaction, as usual any overdue bill gonna extra charge from next bill

Tempering meter problem should avoid i see a lot new shop owner rent a shop without knowing meter has been tempering, 5 year later tnb come and check and found out so tenant buta buta kena fine from the first day they rent

So if anyone who first time rent a shop/house should ask tnb have a meter check first after you moving in , at least you have prove you just move in anything ask your landlord to settle and non your problem

Anyways I'm not pakar tnb and wireman just sharing my experience what i know

No.