Kota Kinabalu: Five premises around Kota Kinabalu, Telipok and Tamparuli were raided by the enforcement team of the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) and Sabah Electricity (SE) for suspected electricity theft.
ECoS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ir. Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid said the integrated operation on Feb 24, 25 and 27 was led by the ECoS Enforcement and Regional Operations Department.
He said the five premises included industrial, commercial and residential users in squatter settlements.
“For cases involving industrial and commercial users, the perpetrators will be investigated under Section 61(3) of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024, and if found guilty, can be fined not less than RM20,000 up to a maximum of RM1 million, or imprisoned for a period not exceeding five years, or both.
Nasser
“Cases involving houses in squatter settlements involved in activities using a direct connection and bypassing the meter system will be investigated under Section 61(3), and if found guilty, the perpetrators can be fined not less than RM1,000 up to a maximum of RM100,000 or imprisoned for a period not exceeding three years, or both.
“Premises suspected of supplying electricity to other houses without approval from a licensee will be investigated under Section 61(8), which carries a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or both.
“For cases of supplying electricity to other premises without a licence, offenders can be charged under Section 8(1)(b) and can be fined not more than RM1 million or imprisoned for a period not exceeding 10 years, or both,” he said.
Nasser reminded the public not to tamper with electricity meters or make illegal modifications. “These activities are against the law and pose high safety risks to users and the public,” he said.
Nasser said two premises owners involving a fast-food restaurant and a furniture store were charged in the Kota Kinabalu court on Feb 13 and 19, respectively, in which the judge imposed fines ranging from RM20,000 to RM35,000.
In Sandakan, an ice factory owner was charged in the Sandakan court on Feb 17 and pleaded not guilty. The next mention date has been set for March 19, 2025.
All three cases are the result of integrated raids carried out by ECoS and SE in 2024.
