SIBU: A three-storey car accessories shop at Lorong Sawi here was found stealing electricity during a joint operation conducted by Sarawak Energy Bhd, the Enforcement and Legal Division of the Ministry of Utilities Sarawak and the Police.
During the operation, which was triggered following a public tip-off, the technical team discovered that the electricity was stolen through direct tapping cables hidden underground to prevent detection.
The cables were connected directly from the overhead lines, bypassing the electricity meter, resulting in low recorded electricity consumption.
According to a press statement released yesterday, load readings taken on site showed that the operator should have been paying more than RM16,000 per month instead of its average monthly billing of just RM900.
A police report has been lodged, and both the business operator and premises owner will be called in to assist with investigations under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance, and all tampered wirings and meters were dismantled and seized as evidence.
Stealing electricity is a criminal offence which carries a penalty of up to RM100,000 and/or five years’ jail if found guilty.
This is the second power theft case involving underground direct tapping cables this month.
The first case was discovered in Kuching when the owner of a double-storey house in Tiya Vista, Kota Samarahan was found stealing electricity using the same method.
In efforts to curb electricity theft, Sarawak Energy’s meter inspection teams are well-trained to detect various methods of stealing electricity, including direct tapping cables hidden underground or connected directly to overhead lines.
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