Three plastic factories caught with tampered meters
Posted on August 11, 2012, Saturday
TAMPERED: A meter wiring found cut to prevent the registration of electricity consumption.
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) identified tampered meters in another three plastic factories in Sibu the last two weeks during a meter inspection operation.
According to a press release, the plastic factories are located at Jalan Hock Ming and Jalan Teku; these factories have a history of meter tampering.
The press release also said Sesco views this matter seriously as these are repeated tampering cases.
A spokesman said these factories are under Sesco’s close watch and their monthly consumption is closely monitored. Police reports have been made and an investigation has been started for all three factories for possible prosecution in court.
The board is now analysing consumption patterns, any unreasonable bill amounts or billing patterns that warrants a meter inspection on site. It has also received many electricity theft related information from the public who have contributed to the discovery of many meter tampering activities.
Based on latest statistics, Sibu still records the highest amount of monetary losses due to power theft.
Although the losses have been reduced since 18 months ago, losses in Sibu is about RM40 million per year. Miri registered the second highest losses followed by Kuching. SEB will continue its meter inspection operation in these areas and other smaller towns as well.
In the two weeks operation, SEB also encountered one uncooporative customer at Jalan Wong Nai Siong. The meter was found tampered and the consumer has been paying ridiculously low charges compared to its high electricity consumption.
The customer even intimidated SEB’s meter inspection team in an effort to stop them from replacing the tampered meter.
A police report has been lodged against the customer due to the threat made and the police is investigating this matter.
The board would like to remind the public that obstructing its meter inspection team from carrying out their duties is an offence under the Electricity ordinance, Section 32.C. The penalty for such an offence is a fine of five thousand ringgit or imprisonment for two years or both.
Electricity theft is an offence under section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance and punishable with a fine up to RM100,000 or imprisonment of five years or both. SEB appreciates the public’s cooperation in providing power theft information.
The public can continue to inform Sesco of any incidence related to electricity theft via telephone at 082-443535. The public can be rest assured that all information given will be treated with confidentiality.
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