Evidence of direct tapping from the mains without any meter.
KUCHING: A coffee shop proprietor at Mile 9 Commercial Park was caught stealing electricity during a recent anti-power theft operation jointly conducted by Sarawak Energy, Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU) of the Ministry of Utilities and the police.
The proprietor, who had previously been caught stealing electricity at the same premises, was apprehended in an operation after months of close surveillance by SEB’s utility arm, Syarikat Sesco Berhad. During the raid, it was discovered that electricity supply was directly connected to the premises from the incoming mains without any meter.
Past records revealed that the proprietor had never applied for electricity supply connection from Sarawak Energy to his shop. After the previous raid, the illegal supply was disconnected but the proprietor continued to steal electricity through the same method, said a press statement from SEB.
During the latest raid, all wiring, jumper cables and meter tails (where direct connection was done) were dismantled by Sarawak Energy fs technical team and seized as evidence. A police report was lodged, and the proprietor would be called in for investigations under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance.
EIU and the State Attorney General will commence legal action against the proprietor to recover the cost of stolen electricity.
Power theft is a crime under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance, which carries a penalty of RM100,000 and/or five years’ jail on conviction. It is also a dangerous act which endangers lives and damages customers’ properties including electrical appliances which may lead to fire.
To curb this dangerous crime, Sarawak Energy will continue to carry out meter inspections and investigation operations throughout Sarawak together with the Ministry of Utilities and the police.
Sarawak Energy would like to remind the public not to trust any service providers claiming to be able to reduce electricity bills and allow premises owners to enjoy limitless electricity usage. Owners will be held responsible for the crime as the meters are registered under their names.
Members of the public can report on any power theft information, including details of power theft service providers, via the Sarawak Energy hotline at 082-443535. All information will be kept strictly confidential.