Sabah Electricity runs after power thieves

Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd blames electricity theft as the biggest contributor for it recorded a loss of almost RM5 million in its last financial year.

SESB general manager (Asset Management), Ahmad Fuad Md Ko asim, said that illegal act of tampering with meters among registered consumers contributed RM2.5 million out of the loss.

The group organised 306 raids on domestic and commercial premises between Sept 1, 2011 and Aug 31 this year and also undertook 17 joint operations with the Energy Commission within this period with the cases being brought to court to claim for the losses.

Apart from the tampering of meters, Ahmad Fuad said the SESB was also faced with the problem of illegal electrical connections, which brought about an estimated loss of RM1.7 million to the company in the last financial year.

Squatter areas identified as those frequently indulging in the illegal connections, particularly in Kota Kinabalu, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Sandakan and Tawau.

“Apart from conducting raids and surprise checks, SESB is also trying to determine the best method of overcoming the activity of illegal connections in the squatter areas as it is difficult to control,” he added.

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