KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government and related agencies have suffered losses of over RM450 million because of water and electricity supply thefts since 2010, the state legislative assembly was told today.
Deputy Chief Minister Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Lamag) said that of the total, RM342 million was lost due to illegal connections to the water supply while the rest involved electricity supply theft.
According to the state’s works minister, electricity theft was largely due to illegal connections especially in squatter areas resulting in RM90 million in losses, while 3,408 cases of meter tampering resulted in RM24.7 million in losses.
“This (illegal connection) must be stopped because it can cause water and electricity supply disruption to all,” he said in response to appointed assemblyman Aliakbar Gulasan who asked on the total losses incurred due to water and electricity theft and measures taken to address the issue.
To tackle water theft, Bung said the state Water Department has been enforcing actions in accordance with the provisions of the Water Supply Enactment 2003 by among others, cutting off illegal connections, issuing compounds and raising community awareness.
As for electricity supply theft, he said Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has cut off illegal connections, organised public awareness campaigns and introduced the bulk supply option through Independent Power Distributors as was being implemented in Sandakan and Labuan.
“To curb meter tampering, SESB has also collaborated with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to monitor and nab the masterminds behind such activities as well as work with the local media in raising awareness,” he said.