Enjoying free electricity while law-abiding Malaysians have to pay: More than 10,000 squatter homes
Published on: Thursday, July 23, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) said existing initiatives are not enough to curb power thefts and illegal power connections. Its Senior General Manager (Asset Management), Muhamad Nazri Pazil, on Wednesday said hundreds of disconnection exercises have been held for years, but it is still not enough to stamp out the activity. And SESB had relentlessly voiced its concern against individuals living in squatter areas, who are daring enough to do illegal wiring and openly stealing electricity, he added.
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Nazri noted disconnection of illegal wiring is not the only initiative carried out by the utility firm, adding that numerous others were carried out over the years. "Various initiatives and hundreds of operations each year to curb this activity, but this has not stopped people from doing it," he said. "SESB also spreads word on the dangers of illegal wiring through the media consistently," he added. According to Muhamad Nazri, existing legal provisions are limited and bogged down by enforcement issues, leaving SESB ineffective to take action against those behind the illegal connections. SESB had also conducted an action meeting briefing on illegal power connections in Sandakan some years back, which was attended by officers from various departments and agencies, as well as the local government there. According to the utility firm Deputy General Manager (Distribution) Ridwan Saham, several suggestions had been laid out including legalising power connection in squatter areas, to get rid of unsecured power connection.
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Based on SESB statistics, there are 111 settlements or more than 10,000 squatter homes identified as actively doing illegal power connections and enjoying free electricity across Sabah. These settlements are located in the city, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Tawau.
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"Illegal power connection in squatter areas increases the risk of someone being electrocuted," he said. A policeman and a fire and rescue personnel have so far perished due to electrocution by live wires being illegally connected in squatter areas. On March 2011, Lance Corporal Mohd Fadzly Haneda was electrocuted while chasing a drug peddler who ran into a squatter area in Mile 4, Jalan Apas. On Monday, Fire and Rescue personnel Apolos Jeremos was electrocuted while putting out a bush fire at a squatter area in Sandakan. Muhammad Nazri said this tragedy should be lesson on the dangers of having an illegal power connection, which at present is still rampant. Towards this end, SESB hoped action or a decision must be made to address the problem. Meanwhile, firefighter Apolos Jeremos was laid to rest at the burial ground in his hometown in Kg Entilibon, Tongod, Sandakan at about 1pm on Wednesday. The funeral was attended by his family and wife who is five months' pregnant, including his colleagues from the Fire and Rescue Department. Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department Chief Anddre Andrew extended the department's condolences to the family. "His untimely passing is a felt by all of us, especially since he left us while in the line of duty," he said. "He is a man of discipline, highly dedicated and hardworking, he had the attitude of giving his best in every task assigned to him," he added. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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