Tampered wirings hidden behind the meter at the house in Jalan Stapok.
KUCHING (May 19): An owner of a double-storey house located at Jalan Stapok here was caught stealing electricity recently, following a meter-inspection operation by Sarawak Energy.
During the operation, Sarawak Energy’s inspection team discovered that there were hidden wires behind the meter cut-out fuses at the house.
“This tampering method is common and Sarawak Energy’s meter inspection team is professionally trained and equipped with the necessary tools to detect this method.
“The illegally connected cables tap electricity directly from the mains to the premises, bypassing the meter. This results in electricity consumption not being registered at all,” said a press release by Sarawak Energy yesterday.
In addition to bypassing electricity consumption billing, Sarawak Energy said that tampered wirings can still be energised even after supply to the premises is disconnected, and this poses electrocution risk to electricians working on internal home wirings or firefighters in the event of a fire incident.
Following the discovery, the meter and illegal wirings were dismantled and seized by Sarawak Energy as evidence, and the customer will be called in for a statement to assist in the investigation.
“A police report has been lodged based on the case findings at the scene,” said Sarawak Energy.
Sarawak Energy pointed out that unregistered electricity consumption is regarded as stealing electricity – a criminal offence under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance, which carries a penalty of up to RM100,000 and/or five years’ jail if found guilty.