KUCHING: Sarawak Energy has uncovered three more cases of electricity theft here involving concealed underground cables at Batu Kawa, Stutong and Jalan Stephen Yong.
The cases were detected by Sarawak Energy through its operations and retail arm, Syarikat SESCO Bhd (SESCO), during recent inspections.
According to Sarawak Energy, the illegal connections were deliberately buried underground and concealed beneath concrete surfaces to avoid detection while bypassing proper metering and safety mechanisms.
“Such illegal connections pose serious safety risks and could lead to electrical fires, electrocution, damage to electrical infrastructure as well as power disruptions affecting nearby residents.
“Electricity theft is a criminal offence under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance, where offenders may face fines of up to RM200,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years upon conviction,” it said in a statement today.
Sarawak Energy urged landlords to actively monitor their properties, noting that property owners may also be held accountable if electricity theft occurs on their premises.
Tenants were also advised to remain vigilant when renting properties and to report any suspicious electrical installations.
Members of the public are encouraged to watch out for warning signs of electricity theft, including unusually low electricity bills, suspicious or non-standard wiring, or signs of digging, hacking or concealed cables near electrical installations.
Meanwhile, property owners are advised to ensure electricity accounts are registered under tenants’ names and that no unauthorised modifications have been made to electrical systems within their premises.
The public is also cautioned against individuals or service providers claiming they can reduce electricity bills through unauthorised means, as illegal connections and unsafe modifications pose serious safety risks and legal consequences.
Members of the public can report suspicious activities to Sarawak Energy’s Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111 or via email at customercare@sarawakenergy.com.
