DETECTED: The ceiling at one of the houses being cracked open to reveal the illegal direct tapping.
KUCHING: Syarikat Sesco Berhad detected many methods used to steal electricity during a meter inspection operation at Taman Sukma, Petra Jaya here last week,
In an emailed statement, Sesco said the common method used in this area is illegal ‘direct tapping’ to bypass the electrical meter.
“Some direct tapping are actually hidden in the ceiling to avoid being visually detected by Sesco staff.
“However, Sesco can still detect illegal direct tapping with the use of test equipment purchased from the USA (United States of America),” it stated.
A total of 50 technical staff were dispatched to the ground to inspect the meter, and in the one-week operation, it was found that 16 per cent of the total meters checked in Taman Sukma had been tampered with.
“This percentage is considered high and Sesco will continue meter inspection operation in this area,” it added.
Meanwhile, the statement quoted a Sesco spokesperson to have said that illegal direct tapping would have to be removed immediately once detected.
“For those hidden in the ceiling walls, the customer would have to arrange with the contractor to break the wall to remove the illegal ‘direct tapping’ and witnessed by Sesco.
“Sesco would make sure that all the illegal wirings are dismantled before customers are allowed to re-conceal their ceilings. Sesco would not be responsible for the repair cost and in some cases, it requires quite extensive breaking works in order to remove the unsafe wiring.
“Sesco has the right to do so as per Section 32. B (4) of the Sarawak Electricity Ordinance Chap. 50, to get the evidence of meter tampering and for safety reasons,” it stated.
The spokesman also said that in most cases, the illegal ‘direct tapping’ connections were badly done.
He added that such bad connections can cause unstable supply which can cause damage to electrical appliances, cause fire and in worst situation, endanger the lives of occupants.
For customers who are caught with meter tampering or illegal modification of metering wiring, he said Sesco would make police reports for further investigation.
Currently, Sesco has started the investigation process by calling affected customers for interview and if clear evidence is found, they will be prosecuted in court.
Sesco urges the public not to trust third parties, who claim that they can help reduce electricity bills, and advised the public to refer to Sesco’s nearest office if in doubt.
Theft of electricity 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.
Sesco said it would appreciate the public’s cooperation in giving actionable information related to power theft.
The public can continue to inform Sesco of any incidence related to electricity theft via telephone number 082-349658 or write directly to The Controller, Revenue Management Control Centre, Wisma Sesco, Jalan Bako, Petrajaya, 93673 Kuching, Sarawak.