NEWS & UPDATES

KUCHING
4 DECEMBER 2020

An unoccupied shoplot used for a cryptocurrency mining operation was found to have evidence of electricity theft in Siburan following a joint executive action between Sarawak Energy, Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU) and the Padawan Police on Thursday.

The raid was carried out following several public tip-offs on suspicious activities at the premises occupying two floors of the shoplot. A warrant issued by the Magistrate Court enabled the team to access the premises via a locked stairwell where they found tampered wirings hidden behind the premises’ signage.

Upon gaining access to the stairwell, the team also discovered dangerous wiring connections along the staircase towards the mining server rooms. Supply to all the servers were connected directly from the main incoming cable without going through the meter, resulting in electricity consumption not being registered.

Load readings taken from the distribution board showed high energy consumption of between RM37,000 – RM40,000 per month as opposed to zero monthly billings since September 2020. Cryptocurrency mining servers are energy intensive machines that normally operate 24 hours daily, requiring cooling units to avoid the machines from overheating.

All the unsafe tampered wirings were seized as evidence. A police report has been lodged and the premises owner will be called in to assist in the investigation under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance. Stealing electricity is a criminal offence which carries a penalty of up to RM100,000 and/or five years’ jail.

Sarawak Energy continues to remind customers not to trust any service providers claiming to be able to reduce electricity use or allow premises owner to enjoy unlimited usage of electricity through meter tampering. Power theft is a crime and it can also damage electrical appliances leading to fire jeopardising safety and endangering lives.

On 11 November, a house in Bintulu used for cryptocurrency mining activities was razed by fire. Investigations found wirings supplying electricity were tampered with, connecting directly from the mains and by-passing the electricity meter.

The Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU) of the Ministry of Utilities, together with Sarawak Energy have investigated 97 cryptocurrency mining related power theft cases since 2018, with Kuching (35), Sibu (6), Miri (55) and Bintulu (1). This year alone, Kuching and Sibu have recorded six (6) cases and Miri has recorded five (5) cases while Bintulu has recorded one (1) case.

Sarawak Energy advises landlords to constantly be alert over their tenants’ activities to avoid being implicated in possible power theft committed by tenants at rented premises.

Sarawak Energy will continue to actively carry out meter inspection activities throughout Sarawak with assistance from all relevant authorities especially the Ministry of Utilities and the Police. Members of the public may report any suspicious activities related to power theft and on service providers claiming to be able to reduce electricity use. They can do so by contacting Sarawak Energy’s customer care centre at 1300-88-3111 or email at customercare@sarawakenergy.com. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

The premises occupies two floors of the shoplot.

Dangerous wiring connections snaking along the staircase.

Tampered wirings found at the premises.

Cryptocurrency mining servers found at the premises.

Cryptocurrency mining servers found at the premises.

Cryptocurrency mining servers found at the premises.

Cryptocurrency mining servers found at the premises.

All unsafe connections were disconnected and seized as evidence.