MUKAH: A local man has been charged in the Magistrate’s Court here for attempting to steal a transformer and committing mischief by damaging a Sesco Berhad property earlier this month.
No plea was recorded as the 26-year-old nodded in understanding when the charges were read before Magistrate Oon Kork Chern on Tuesday.
According to the Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the man is facing a charge under Section 379/511 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34 of the same code.
If convicted, the offence carries a jail term of up to seven years, a fine, or both.
In addition, he was also charged under Regulation 25(1)(n) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 for failing to produce an identity card when requested. The offence provides for imprisonment of up to three years, a fine up to RM20,000, or both, upon conviction.
The court has allowed bail at RM3,000 for each charge, with two local sureties earning no less than RM2,000 per month.
However, the man failed to post bail and was ordered to be remanded at Sibu Prison. The case has been fixed for mention on July 10.
According to the facts of the case, the man and three accomplices – who are still at large – allegedly attempted to steal a 50KVA transformer belonging to Sesco at around 2 pm on June 9.
They had reportedly pulled the transformer off an electric pole panel using a vehicle, causing it to fall to the ground. However, they were unable to remove the copper components inside.
The man was arrested about 30 minutes later by Mukah Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and handed over to the investigating officer for further action.
