ECoS raids five premises suspected of stealing electricity

KOTA KINABALU (Mac 3): Five premises around Kota Kinabalu, Telipok, and Tamparuli were raided by the enforcement team of the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) and Sabah Electricity (SE) for suspected electricity theft.

ECoS Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Ir. Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid, said, “The integrated raid operation was led by ECoS Enforcement and Regional Operations Department on February 24, 25, and 27 on five premises suspected of electricity theft activities, including industrial, commercial, and residential users in squatter settlements.”

For cases involving industrial and commercial users, the perpetrators will be investigated under Section 61(3) of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024, and if found guilty, can be fined not less than RM20,000 up to a maximum of RM1 million or imprisoned for a period not exceeding five years or both.

Cases involving houses in squatter settlements involved in activities using a direct connection and bypassing the meter system will be investigated under Section 61(3), and if found guilty, the perpetrators can be fined not less than RM1,000 up to a maximum of RM100,000 or imprisoned for a period not exceeding three years or both; while premises suspected of supplying electricity to several other houses without approval from a licensee will be investigated under Section 61(8), which carries a penalty of a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or both.

For cases of supplying electricity to other premises without a license, offenders can be charged under Section 8(1)(b) and can be fined not more than RM1 million or imprisoned for a period not exceeding 10 years or both.

Nasser reminded the public not to tamper with electricity meters or make illegal modifications.

“These activities are against the law and pose high safety risks to users and the public,” he said.

In other developments, two owners of a fast-food restaurant and a furniture store were charged in the Kota Kinabalu court on February 13 and 19 respectively, in which the judge imposed fines ranging from RM20,000 to RM35,000.

In Sandakan, an ice factory owner was charged in the court on February 17 and pleaded not guilty. The next mention date has been set for March 19, 2025.

All three cases are the result of integrated raids carried out by ECoS and SE in 2024.

-Agency