KUCHING: The owner of a semi-detached house in Jalan Kiew Nang, Sibu was found stealing electricity during an operation carried out by Sarawak Energy’s meter inspection team.
The inspection team was accompanied by the Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU) of the Ministry of Utilities and auxiliary police.
According to a press statement issued yesterday, the house owner was under close surveillance by the utility company due to a history of meter tampering, and the raid was triggered by the surveillance results.
Investigation revealed that a fake meter cover was used to mask the alteration of the meter’s mechanism, leading to an unrealistically low power consumption of RM60 to RM70 recorded per month against actual consumption.
The house owner had been previously charged for arrears amounting to RM5,600.
The tampered meter was seized for evidence, and a police report was lodged for further investigation.
The EIU and State Attorney General (SAG) will commence legal action against the house owner for stealing electricity under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance.
Sarawak Energy will continue to carry out meter inspections and investigation operations throughout Sarawak together with the Ministry of Utilities and the Police to curb this dangerous activity.
The company is mandated to recover arrears or estimated unpaid amounts for up to 36 months from detection of theft by account holders.
Customers are reminded not to trust service providers claiming to be able to reduce electricity bills or allow premises owners to enjoy limitless electricity through meter tampering as meter inspection teams are trained to detect tampered meters, including fake electricity meter covers as part of its efforts to curb power theft.
Power theft is a crime which carries a penalty of RM100,000 and/or five years’ imprisonment if found guilty. It is also a dangerous act which endangers lives and damages customers’ properties, including electrical appliances, which may lead to fire.
Sarawak Energy appreciates the support from the public and encourages them to continue to report to Sarawak Energy on any power theft, including details of power theft service providers via Sarawak Energy’s customer care centre at 1300-88-3111. All information obtained will be kept strictly confidential.
