NEWS & UPDATES

KUCHING, 18 MAY 2016, WEDNESDAY: The Miri High Court recently ruled in favour of Syarikat SESCO Berhad, Sarawak Energy’s subsidiary and operations arm, in a power theft case against the owner of a cold storage business located in Pujut, Miri.

Following the court’s decision, the owner was ordered to pay a sum of RM346,682.20 together with interest owed on billing arrears of 5% per annum from the date of summon till the date of settlement as well as legal costs to SESCO.

In this case, clear evidence of meter tampering was discovered during three site inspections made to the business premises after detecting irregularities in the meter reading. The investigation revealed that the meter seal was disturbed and the offence was repeated even after the meter was replaced.

Commenting on the case, a SESCO spokesperson said, “before meter replacement, the average monthly electricity consumption of this cold storage business was around RM4,000, which is unrealistically low for a heavily powered business operation of this scale that normally record an average of RM34,000 a month. The customer is also a repeat offender of meter tampering since 2010 and is placed in our list of closely monitored customers.”

The High Court’s decision marks another milestone in SESCO’s efforts to curb power theft in the state. So far, the power utility’s on-going efforts to stamp out power theft has recorded significant success and SESCO wishes to extend its appreciation to members of the public for their cooperation in providing information on such cases. Those with information on power theft can contact SESCO’s power theft hotline at 082-443535 or email customercare@sarawakenergy.com.my. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

SESCO would like to remind member of the public that stealing electricity is a dangerous crime as it endangers lives and could damage customers’ electrical appliances. SESCO will continue to actively carry out meter inspection and investigation throughout the state by working closely with relevant agencies and members of the public.

Customers whose meters are found tampered with shall be reported and prosecuted in court for offences under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance which carries a penalty of RM100,000 and/or five years imprisonment.