KUCHING: Online gambling activities at a premises operating under the guise of a 24-hour coffee shop have been crippled following the discovery of repeated electricity theft there.
A joint operation between Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) through its operations arm, Syarikat SESCO Bhd (SESCO) and the police brought the goings-on at the Jalan Tondong premises to light recently.
In a statement on Tuesday, SEB said further investigation by SESCO revealed that the premises’ power supply had been disconnected several times in the past for unauthorised electricity use.
“Despite these enforcement actions, the illegal operations continued, prompting a joint raid operation involving SESCO’s technical team and the police.
“During the raid, two individuals were caught in the act of attempting to illegally reconnect the electricity supply.
“An on-site inspection revealed that the electricity supply had been illegally restored using direct tapping cables hidden above the ceiling, bypassing the meter,” it said.
It said these unauthorised connections not only constitute a criminal offence but also pose severe safety risks to the public and nearby businesses.
“All illegal wiring was immediately dismantled and confiscated and a police report was lodged for investigation under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance. Upon conviction, offenders may be fined up to RM200,000 and/or imprisoned for up to five years,” it said.
SEB said it remains steadfast in its efforts to protect the integrity of the electricity supply system and continues to work closely with enforcement agencies, including the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) Sarawak, police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), to identify and prosecute offenders.
“Beyond enforcement, SESCO also collaborates with media, associations and community groups to raise awareness of the legal, financial and safety consequences of electricity theft.
“To strengthen its enforcement capabilities, SESCO’s meter inspection teams undergo continuous technical training to detect evolving theft methods, supported by ongoing investments in advanced detection technologies and real-time monitoring systems.
“These initiatives form part of SEB’s broader efforts to maintain a safe and reliable and power supply for all customers,” it said.
SEB also reminded property owners to transfer electricity accounts to their tenants when renting out properties to ensure proper accountability and to avoid potential legal implications if illegal activities are detected on their premises.
“Warning signs of electricity theft may include unusually low electricity bills or the presence of suspicious or non-standard wiring,” it said.
The public is encouraged to report suspected power theft by contacting Sarawak Energy’s Customer Care Centre or using the SEB cares app. All reports will be kept confidential.
