KUCHING: The Utilities Ministry has reminded that electricity theft is a dangerous crime that robs the state of millions of ringgit which could be invested in extending, reinforcing and modernising the power system.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said, the ministry through its Electrical Inspectorate Unit would continue to crack down on electricity theft in a campaign launched in 2010.
“We launched this multi-agency effort together with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). Stealing electricity has major
consequences,” he stressed.
He elaborated that the loss of revenue had deprived SEB from investing in a more reliable and modern power system.
Dr Rundi said since the campaign began nine years ago, the consolidated efforts have led to a major improvement in the statistics on electricity theft, with a significant reduction in non-technical losses and recovery of arrears of over RM100 million annually.
“In 2018, a joint operation held with Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) led to a
significant meter tampering bust.
“The operation brought down a syndicate in Miri that was manning a laboratory for meter tampering activities. The culprit was arrested by MACC for bribery offences and was also charged by the police for possession of fake meter covers,” he said.
In relation to this case, Dr Rundi added that SEB had discovered about 100 cryptocurrency mining servers directly tapping power, bypassing the electricity meter.
During the operation, more than 500 imitation meter covers and 90 stolen electricity meters were seized, making it the biggest electricity theft bust so far.
The operation also revealed that more than 30 meter-reading contractors’ staff were collaborating with the service provider to manipulate meter readings. All of them have resigned or their
services terminated since then.
“Electricity theft is extremely dangerous as unsafe wirings and direct tapping can cause fire and even electrocution, leading to injuries and even deaths.”
Dr Rundi said his ministry would continue to work closely with SEB and the relevant agencies to curb power theft and would not hesitate to take legal action on the perpetrator, to ensure that Sarawakians are provided with the modern power system they deserve.
Prosecution of all electricity theft cases are handled by the Utilities Ministry and the Sarawak State Attorney General (SAG) Chambers. Electricity theft is a crime under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance, and carries a penalty of RM100,000 and/or five years imprisonment.
The ministry through SAG Chambers had prosecuted 10 power theft cases in court since 2017 and all the defendants had pleaded guilty to the offences.
