SANDAKAN: The Sessions Court here fined three men a combined total of RM331,000 after they pleaded guilty to various offences relating to the illegal supply, connection, and usage of electricity.
Judge Roslinda Razali fined Samailah Cuba RM129,000, with default jail terms between one and three months, for illegally supplying power to 12 squatter houses in Kampung Pengiran Galpam using direct connections from a Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) pole.
The second accused, Zaini Mubin, received a total fine of RM194,000 or default imprisonment for a similar offence involving eight squatter houses in Kampung Kagayan, and both he and Samailah were ordered to be referred to the Immigration Department for deportation.
Meanwhile, a local man, Ahmad Safuan Baharuddin, paid an RM8,000 fine for illegally tapping electricity from Samailah's store hut to his squatter house without written approval from SESB.
Energy Commission of Sabah (Ecos) prosecuting officer Andryeno Thomas pressed for a deterrent sentence, highlighting the safety risks posed by unsafe illegal installations to wooden structures and the financial losses to the utility provider.
