Sesco team pounces on factory operator for theft of electricity
MIRI: An operator of an ice manufacturing company was caught stealing electricity at his factory located in an industrial area of Tudan here recently.
According to a spokesperson from Sesco, the theft was discovered during a joint operation between Sarawak Energy’s retail and operation arm, Syarikat Sesco Berhad (Sesco), the Electrical Inspectorate Unit ( EIU) of the Ministry of Public Utilities and the police.
This was the operator’s second offence. His factory had been under surveillance before the raid due to its history of meter tampering.
“Late last year the owner was found to be paying monthly electricity bills of about RM100 per month, which is abnormally low for a factory with high consumption electrical appliances such as chillers that operates 24-hours a day. That was when the tampering by the factory was discovered,” revealed the spokesperson from Sesco.
After the first meter replacement, a re-inspect team from Sesco was denied entry by the factory’s operator. The team returned with a court warrant to enter the premises and upon inspection, found the wiring of the meter had been tampered with again.
Further investigations reveal that the factory consumes about RM15,000 worth of electricity per month but only a small fraction of that appeared on the bill.
“This is another successful raid undertaken by both Sesco and EIU. We have been keeping a close watch on this customer who repeatedly denies entry to Sesco meter inspection teams,” reported the spokesperson from Sesco.
A police report was lodged and the operator will be charged for stealing electricity under Section 33( 5) of the Sarawak Electricity Ordinance which carries a fine up to RM100,000 or imprisonment of five years or both, if convicted.
The Sesco spokesperson revealed that to deter theft of electricity, the meters had been replaced with smart meters that had remote monitoring to trigger an alert when they are tampered with.
The remote monitoring system will give an alarm if there are any abnormalities in consumption patterns, and trigger the meter inspection team for further verification on site.
Sesco will continue to install smart meters in stages for other customers. It seeks public cooperation to allow its inspection teams to check their meters, not only for tampering but to ensure safety of wiring. All Sesco personnel are issued with staff identification card ( ID) to introduce themselves to customers.
Sesco will continue to work closely with EIU and other government agencies to curb power theft in Sarawak. Power theft is not only illegal, but can result in serious injuries or death.
Those with information on possible power theft are encouraged to contact Sesco’s power theft hotline at 082- 443535/082- 443535 or email customercare@ sarawakenergy. com.my.
All information will be kept strictly confidential.
Customers may also seek more information by calling Sarawak Energy’s Customer Care Centre at 1300 88 3111 which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.