Two men caught tampering with wiring system of house during SEB ops
KUCHING: Two men were caught tampering with the wiring system of an SEB customer’s house at Tabuan Tranquility here during a recent anti-power theft operation.
Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), in a press statement yesterday, said the two suspects, aged 47 and 33, were detained at the scene and later, taken into police custody for further investigation.
The tools used by the two were also seized as evidence.
The arrest was made possible after months of surveillance by the anti- power theft team consisting of personnel from SEB’s utilities arm Syarikat Sesco Berhad ( Sesco), the Electrical Inspectorate Unit ( EIU) of the Ministry of Utilities, and the police.
Based on public tip- off, it is learnt that the two suspects had been conducting illegal connection of power supply and manipulating electricity meter readings, said SEB.
Close surveillance indicated that the illegal activity was prevalent in Tabuan Tranquility and the nearby areas, prompting SEB to conduct more anti-power theft operations there.
Based on police information, one of the suspects is also wanted in connection with other criminal cases.
The Magistrate has granted a four- day remand on the suspects to assist police in their investigation.
It is possible that this case could lead to more arrests.
The house owner has also been called in by the police to assist in the investigation.
From the information gathered, the house owner is believed to have been using the illegal service since 2017, and has never applied for electricity connection; thus avoiding paying the monthly electricity bills.
Based on the supply loading measured at the premises during the raid, the electricity consumption for the premises was quite high, estimated to reach RM800 per month.
The utility company would recover the charges for the ‘stolen electricity supply’ from the customer, based on estimated consumption throughout the two years of illegal supply.
“SEB would continue to work closely with the police and reminds its customers that subscribing to or committing this illegal activity is a crime under Section 33( 5) of the Electricity Ordinance, which carries a penalty of RM100,000 and/or five years’ imprisonment if found guilty.
“Stealing electricity endangers lives, can damage customers’ electrical appliances and even cause fires.”
Members of the public can continue to report on any suspected power theft via the Sarawak Energy hotline 082- 443 535.
All information will be kept strictly confidential.