33kV Cables located in a culvert which were cut in an attempt to steal copper. Photo courtesy of SEB
KUCHING: The frequent recurrence of vandalism and copper thefts is causing great concern to Sarawak Energy as since last year, 163 cases of vandalism and copper thefts have been reported in Sarawak with damages amounting to RM2 million.
Sarawak Energy disclosed in a statement yesterday that in the latest case, four main 33kV cables located in the drainage culvert near Matang Emart were believed to have been burnt in an attempt to cut and extract copper from the cables.
The cables serve to connect supply from the Matang EHV Substation to Astana and Satok Substations. The attempt caused outages to Satok, Astana, Samariang and Santubong at about 5.50pm on Wednesday.
A technical team from Sarawak Energy managed to restore supply to the affected customers within five minutes through alternative feeders, in time for Muslim customers in the areas to break their fast.
A police report has been lodged on this incident for further investigations.
Fire and Rescue department personnel at a drainage culvert near Matang Emart.
Sarawak Energy Vice President for Distribution Siti Aisah Adenan thanked the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) for their swift response and assistance in controlling the situation.
“The damage caused by this irresponsible act is very extensive and it may take up to two weeks for us to lay new cables. What makes it difficult is most of the cables are beneath the road after road widening projects took place.
“We hope this can be completed before the Gawai and Hari Raya celebrations to ensure we have enough alternative feeders to cater for emergencies such as this.
“Sarawak Energy will continue to work closely with the police and increase patrols to our facilities to curb these incidences. We need continuous public assistance to be our eyes and ears to ensure that no one else will fall victim to such incidents,” Siti added.
The public can contact Sarawak Energy’s 24-hour Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111, which operates seven days a week, or immediately call the nearest police station. Reports can also be lodged using SEBcares – Sarawak Energy’s mobile app