MIRI: Sarawak Energy, through its operational and retail arm Syarikat SESCO Berhad, recently uncovered three cases of unauthorised cryptocurrency mining activities here, located at Shang Garden and Bulatan Commercial Centre.
The initiative was prompted by public tip-offs, highlighting the importance of community involvement in tackling such issues.
During inspections, SESCO’s technical team discovered over 150 cryptocurrency mining servers in each of the three locations.
Illegal direct tapping cables were found connected from the main supply lines directly to the servers through the ceiling.
All equipment used for power theft was dismantled and confiscated as evidence.
Sarawak Energy reported a monthly loss of RM54,500 due to unrecorded consumption resulting from these incidents.
Currently, individuals involved are under investigation, and if found guilty, they will face charges under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance, with penalties of up to RM200,000 in fines or a maximum of five years’ imprisonment.
Cryptocurrency mining, notorious for its high energy consumption, often drives operators to engage in electricity theft to reduce costs and increase profits.
The continuous operation of mining requires significant cooling units to prevent servers from overheating.
Nonstandard installations used in electricity theft for such energy-intensive activities can overload the electrical system, posing risks of short circuits, appliance damage, fires, and even loss of lives.
Sarawak Energy reaffirms its commitment to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and other authorities to eradicate power theft in the region.
Individuals are cautioned against dealing with service providers claiming to reduce electricity consumption or offering unlimited power through meter tampering.
SESCO’s meter inspection teams are well-prepared to identify all forms of electricity theft.
Landlords are advised to be vigilant when renting out their properties to prevent potential illegal activities by tenants.
Properly registering the meter under the tenant’s name can help minimize the risk of liability for electricity theft.
Those with information on electricity theft are encouraged to join Sarawak Energy’s fight against power theft by contacting its Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111 or via email at customercare@sarawakenergy.com. All information provided will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
