Syndicates suspected in power theft

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SESB personnel disconnecting electricity wires from a house that has been caught carrying out illegal connection.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) will investigate whether syndicates were involved in illegal electricity connections in 94 squatter settlements around the state.

Its senior general manager, Ir Ahmad Fuad Md Kasim, said the company’s financial report from September 2011 till August this year showed losses amounting to RM1.7 million through illegal connections.

“We had carried out about 179 raids on squatter settlements throughout the state and more than 95 per cent of the settlements had been raided more than twice.

“We believe that there may be a syndicate behind this illegal activity because each time we carry out such raids, there would be no occupants in the said house or the wires that are connected illegally from electric poles have been disconnected as our personnel approached their squatters,” he told reporters at a press conference at the company’s office in Karamunsing here yesterday.

SESB contractors pulling an electrical wire that is buried in the ground to prevent being detected by SESB personnel during the operation at Kampung Delima.

Ahmad Fuad pointed out that among the squatter settlements identified to carry out illegal electricity connections in the state are Kota Kinabalu, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Sandakan and Tawau.

“These illegal connectors are willing to risk their lives to carry out such activity without fearing for their lives and their properties.

“Although such activities have been going on for some time, we will carry out a thorough investigation, and if there is any staff of SESB involved in this illegal activity, we will not hesitate to take legal action,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Fuad said SESB had also incurred losses amounting to RM2.5 million through electric meter tempering by registered customers and companies.

“During the same period, September 2011 to August 2012, SESB with the cooperation from the Energy Commission (EC), had carried out 17 raids on factories and business premises throughout the state.

“Among the action that will be taken against such offences is to reclaim losses that SESB had incurred and to charge them in court,” he said.

He said any company caught tempering with the company’s power meter would be charged under Section 38 of the Electrical Supply Act 1990, while those caught for illegal electricity connection would be charged under Section 37 of the same act.

Meanwhile, more than 300 houses in five squatter settlements here had been identified to have made illegal electricity wire connection to their homes.

Yesterday’s operation saw five squatters areas, namely Suangparai, Kampung Delima, and Kampung Pulau Penampang in Likas, and Kampung Lokub and Kampung Padas in Tebobon continued to carry out illegal electricity connection from SESB’s poles and transformers to their homes.

Some houses with electricity meters were also found to supply electricity to other houses without the knowledge of SESB.

The company therefore urged members of the public to provide information on any illegal electrical wire connection near or around their areas by calling their hotline at 15454 or 088-282 455.