NEWS & UPDATES
Power Theft Through Illegal Direct Tapping Hidden In The Ceiling
Kuching, 20/6/2013: Based on public tip off, SESCO recently raided a house at Taman Surabaya in Petrajaya suspected to have been stealing electricity for years. With the help of direct tapping cable detection device, SESCO technician detect illegal wiring hidden in the ceiling. The direct tapping caused energy consumed to bypass the meter, hence the reading not being captured by the meter. Initially, the house owner refused to allow SESCO teams to enter his house, however he finally obliged after SESCO technicians presented their authorization cards. This operation also involved the police.
In the operation, SESCO technical teams had to break the ceiling to dismantle the direct tapping. The direct tapping was hidden in the ceiling and was believed to have been there for years. It was found that the illegal wiring was not properly connected and burn mark was found due to arcing. This is extremely dangerous as the houses are ‘cluster’ house, which are 4 units of houses back to back. The arcing could easily cause fire, and could easily affect the neighboring houses. SESCO urge the public not to do such thing and also not to believe the service provider to offer the service to steal electricity. As in many cases, SESCO had detected unsafe wiring which could jeopardize the function of the protective system of the house designed to cut off the supply in case of internal fault. This could result in electrocution and loss of life. Evidence of direct tapping has been dismantled and seized for further investigation. Police report has been lodged, and the owner will be called for questioning and assist in the investigation.
SESCO spokesmen would like to remind the public that stealing electricity is a dangerous crime punishable under section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance and punishable with a fine up to RM100,000 or imprisonment of five years or both. SESCO will continue meter inspection works throughout the state of Sarawak, which is part of SESCO’s meter maintenance routine work. Public can continue to give power theft information through our power theft hotline 082-443535. All information will be kept highly confidential.
