KUCHING: Sarawak Energy has expressed concern over the frequent recurrence of vandalism and copper theft incidents in the state.
The latest attempt, which caused power outage to huge areas encompassing Satok, Astana, Samariang and Santubong, occurred yesterday at around 5.50pm.
In the incident, four main 33kV cables located in the drainage culvert near Matang Emart were believed have been burnt in an attempt to cut and extract copper from the cables.
The cables serve to connect supply from the Matang EHV substation to Astana and Satok substations, according to Sarawak Energy in a media statement yesterday.
Fortunately, quick action by the company’s technical team managed to restore supply to the affected customers within five minutes through alternative feeders, in time for its Muslim customers in the areas to break their fast with lights on.
A police report has been lodged on this incident.
Sarawak Energy’s vice president for distribution Siti Aisah Adenan expressed her appreciation to the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) for their swift response and assistance in controlling the situation.
“The damage caused by the irresponsible act is very extensive and it may take up to two weeks for us to lay new cables.
“What makes it difficult is most of the cables are beneath the road after road widening projects took place. We hope this can be completed before Gawai and Hari Raya celebrations to ensure we have enough alternative feeders to cater for emergencies such as this,” said Siti.
Raising concern over the matter, Siti said vandalism and copper theft incidences were more rampant during festive seasons.
“It is disappointing that the festive moods are ruined by unnecessary outages. Therefore, we seek the cooperation from members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious characters lurking around electrical facilities,” she added.
Siti said to ensure continuous and uninterrupted supply to customers during the upcoming festive celebrations, Sarawak Energy had put in place teams on standby to act promptly should technical issues arise.
“Rest assured that we will do our best to restore supply within the shortest time possible should such unfortunate incident occur.”
According to Siti, Sarawak Energy has actually put in place mitigation measures apart from increasing awareness to hinder vandalism and theft at its facilities.
However, it is sad to see that such incidents still happen, she said, adding since last year, Sarawak Energy recorded a total of 163 cases of vandalism and copper thefts involving damages to the tune of RM2 million.
“We advise those who find electrical facilities as targets to make quick cash not to risk their lives for small gains. They are not only putting themselves in danger, but also causing inconveniences to others due to outages.
“Being too close to electric facilities is dangerous and stealing cables can result in flash overs or electrocution, burns and even fatality. There have been a few fatality cases in failed attempts to steal copper at live cables and these regretful incidents are tragic examples that stealing cables is not worth the risk. They should have thought of their loved ones.”
Sometime in January this year, a man in Miri died from serious burns due to electrocution in an attempt to steal copper at Tudan Substation while last year at Pasir Pandak here, a man was found stuck on top of the electrical pole in another tragic incident that took his life.
“Sarawak Energy will continue to work closely with the police, increase patrols to our facilities and hardening targets to curb these incidences. We need continuous public assistance to be our eyes and ears to ensure that no one else will fall victim to such incident,” Siti added.
The public can contact Sarawak Energy’s 24-hour Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111 which operates seven days a week or immediately call the nearest police station. Reports can also be logged onto SEBcares, Sarawak Energy’s mobile app.
