Kota Kinabalu: The loss of yet another life in a squatter settlement arising from power theft would not have happened had the autorities not dragged their feet on arriving at a solution according to options laid out by Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB).The options included ridding squatters or alternatively to provide paid electricity to these areas pending a final decision on their status later. It was also previously reported that SESB loses up to RM15 million yearly to power thieves, funds that could be used to ensure uninterrupted power supply to other parts of the State.
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Daily Express learnt that action meetings have been organised involving officials from local governments, related ministries and departments to address the problem, especially after the electrocution death of a police officer in 2011 at a Tawau squatter site.SESB's Deputy General Manager (Distribution) Ridwan Saham confirmed that meetings were held following that tragedy at Kg Kurnia Jaya, Mile 4, Jalan Apas, Tawau, when Lance Cpl Mohd Fadzly Haneda from the Narcotic Branch was electrocuted while chasing a drug peddler at the squatter area.
The tragedy bore resemblance to the death of Fire and Rescue personnel, Apolos Jeremos, on Monday, who also died in the line of duty, trying to put out a bush fire at a squatter area. He stepped on live wires. He was rushed to hospital where he died two hours later.A district action meeting was held in the wake of the 2011 tragedy attended by officers from the relevant organisations in Sandakan, Ridwan said.
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"It was a full board briefing held especially to address illegal power connection. Everyone was there – the District Office, SESB, government agency and also the Municipality councillors," he said. "Our Chief Engineer conducted the presentation and it was specifically on illegal power connection," said Ridwan, revealing such meetings were supposed to be held in townships with squatters in them.
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According to Ridwan, several suggestions were laid out by their engineer with one seeking to legalise the power connections in squatter areas. "But as we all know, not one village has been legalised to date," said Ridwan. Eradicating all squatters were also raised because as long as squatter areas exist illegal connections and power thefts will continue to be a problem. This left SESB with only several measures to count on, including integrated disconnection exercise in squatter areas, but many doubt the move will totally solve the problem. SESB has held hundreds of illegal power disconnection exercises throughout the years and close to a hundred this year. "Another problem is that SESB has no power to penalise those who steal electricity and make illegal connections, especially in illegal housing areas like squatters. We (ironically) can only penalise registered consumers," said Ridwan, pressing his case to legalise power connection in squatter areas. He noted illegal power connection is one of the biggest challenges faced by SESB, especially in Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Semporna and the city, where many squatter villages are located at present. SESB immediately cut off all power supplies near Taman Kenari, Mile 7, in Sandakan following the latest tragedy. SESB Senior General Manager (Assets Management) Nazri Pazil said all illegal power connections will be confiscated. "Mile 7 has been known as a 'hot' area that has been a focus of disconnection operations in squatter areas by SESB. It did not say when the last was held.
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"Despite frequent operations, irresponsible residents have managed to re-connect and steal power from SESB," he said. Towards this end, SESB is seeking help from all government agencies to put an end to this dangerous problem, he said.
