NEWS & UPDATES

MIRI
8 AUGUST 2024

Following a public tip-off, Sarawak Energy’s operational and retail arm, Syarikat SESCO Berhad (SESCO), working with the police, recently seized 37 cryptocurrency mining servers from an operator involved in electricity theft. The raid took place at a vacant building in Permy Technology Park, Miri.

During the operation, illegal direct tapping cables and servers were discovered and confiscated as evidence. Investigations under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance for unregistered electricity consumption are now ongoing.

Unregistered electricity consumption is considered as power theft in Sarawak, a criminal offence under Section 33 (5) of the Electricity Ordinance. Offenders face penalties of up to RM200,000 and/or five years’ jail.

Since 2023, more than 40 power theft-related cases have been reported by the public, including seven cases in Miri.

Sarawak Energy thanks the public for supporting its fight against electricity theft in the state and encourages more to come forward and report if they have any information on such activities, especially in abandoned or vacant premises in industrial and remote areas.

The public is reminded that stealing electricity is dangerous, posing risks such as fire, damage to electrical appliances, and potential loss of life. Cryptocurrency mining demands high energy usage, which can also overload electrical systems, causing outages that affect surrounding communities.

SESCO is increasing inspections of abandoned or vacant industrial buildings and residential houses, which are often targeted by cryptocurrency miners to avoid detection. The wiring in these locations, unused for some time, may pose undetected safety hazards.

Property owners are advised to exercise caution when renting out properties to protect themselves from potential unlawful activities conducted by tenants. Meters should be registered under the tenant’s name to mitigate the risk of liability for illegal activities. Members of the public should be cautious of anyone promising free or cheap electricity, as this is often indicative of electricity theft, which is punishable by law.

SESCO's technical team is trained and equipped to identify various methods of electricity theft, ensuring effective prevention and enforcement.

Individuals with information related to electricity theft are encouraged to report it to Sarawak Energy by calling its Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111, or by emailing customercare@sarawakenergy.com. All information provided will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

Location of the vacation building where the power theft occurred, with red arrows indicating the direct tapping cables.

Inside the building: Direct tapping cables run from the ceiling to the cryptocurrency mining room.

Direct tapping cables found above the ceiling.