The tampered Sesco meter at the customer’s premises.
KUCHING: A man was arrested after he threatened Sesco’s meter inspection technicians with a dangerous weapon during a meter replacement exercise earlier this week.
The incident occurred at Jalan Ulu Sungei Merah in Sibu when the Sesco team went to his residence to replace his electricity meter which had been tampered with.
As part of Sesco’s standard procedures, the customer was asked to switch off his electrical appliances for safety reasons, prior to the replacement. However, the customer was not happy with the request and responded negatively.
A Sesco spokesperson said in a statement yesterday that when the team tried to communicate with the customer, he came out with a machete in his hand.
“He charged straight at our technicians, shouting profanities. For safety reasons and to avoid confrontation, we retreated from the premises and immediately lodged a police report.”
Acting on the report, the police immediately arrested the man who was remanded for two days to facilitate investigation.
Following the arrest, Sesco’s meter inspection technicians returned to the premises and successfully replaced the meter.
All the exhibits were seized as evidence.
Based on Sesco’s records, the recent incident was the fourth time that the meter at the premise was found tampered with since 2015.
Sesco thanked the Police for their swift action and reminded members of the public that obstruction of a meter inspection operation is an offence under Section 32(c) of the Electricity Ordinance, carrying a penalty of RM5,000 or imprisonment of two years or both.
Stealing electricity is a dangerous crime that endangers lives and can cause damage to electrical appliances.
Sesco will continue to actively carry out meter inspections and investigations throughout the state by working closely with the relevant authorities and members of the public.
Offenders will be charged under Section 33 (5) of the Electricity Ordinance which carries a penalty of RM100,000 and/or five years’ imprisonment.
Those with information on power theft are advised to contact Sesco’s power theft hotline at 082-443535 or email [email protected].