POWER OFF AT OVER 300 SQUATTER HOMES

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) yesterday dismantled illegal power connections at more than 300 homes in five squatter colonies.

“The occupants are stealing electricity,” SESB central zone manager Yuzrian Efren Yunus told reporters after leading a crackdown on power theft in Kg Lokub, Kg Gantisan, Kg Suang Parai, Kg Padas and Kg Ratau along Jalan Sulaman near here yesterday.

He said this was the 10th operation conducted at the same squatter colonies so far this year.

“We seized between 50kg and 100 kg of an assortment of cables used in the power theft in these squatter colonies,” said Yuzrian.

He said also SESB incurred losses amounting to RM4 million annually due to power theft, particularly in Kota Kinabalu and four other major districts namely Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu and Sandakan.

To a question, Yuzrian said SESB had conducted 144 operations to remove illegal power connections in the five districts from January until June this year.

And according to him, power theft by irresponsible individuals caused constant blackouts which affected businessses and caused inconvenience to other power users.

Yuzrian warned that the culprits are liable to be charged under Section 37 (3) Electricity Supply Act 1990 which carries a fine of up to RM100,000 or a jail term not exceeding three years or both in the event of a conviction.

Meanwhile, he said the crackdown on power theft had significantly reduced the impact on “distribution system loss” from 14.84 per cent in 2006 to 8.27 per cent to date.

Yuzrian also urged those with information on power theft to contact the nearest SESB office or call 15454 or 088-282455.

Enforcement officers from the Power Commission, Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) were also involved in yesterday’s power theft crackdown.

http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/50354

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