Kota Kinabalu: The Sessions Court on Friday fined a company to RM11,000 in default 30 days’ jail, for illegally carrying out works near an 11kV high-voltage electricity line belonging to Sabah Electricity (SE), which resulted in an electrical accident that led to the permanent disability of a man.
Maribumi Sdn Bhd was fined by Judge Marlina Ibrahim after its project manager pleaded guilty to the charge against the company.
The company, as the main contractor for installing replacement concrete poles for an optical fibre line near SE’s 11kV high-voltage electricity installation, was found to have carried out the activity without permission from the licence holder, SE.
As a result of the act, an accident occurred involving Meidrick Xavier Jappri, 23, at about 10.33am on Sept 18, 2024, along Jalan Montenior, Kg Panitian, Beaufort.
The offence is under Subsection 55(1) of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024, punishable under Subsection 55(2) of the same Enactment, which carries a fine of up to RM300,000, or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.
The court heard that the pole installation work was conducted near the 11kV SE high-voltage electrical line without permission from the licence holder, and the installed optical fibre pole was located approximately 2.1 metres from the SE 11kV line pole, which was less than the minimum clearance distance required.
While the work was being carried out, the concrete optical fibre pole being erected came into contact with the uninsulated 11kV conductor, causing a flashover and electric shock.
As a result of the incident, a worker from the subcontractor, Mederick Xavier Jappri, suffered a severe electric shock, leading to serious injuries, and his right leg had to be amputated below the knee.
The incident also caused one 11kV fuse at the Batu 60 junction to trip, which subsequently resulted in a disruption of electricity supply in parts of the Batu 62 area, Beaufort.
Further investigations found that no notification or official approval was obtained from SE before the work was carried out near the electrical installation, although work in such high-risk areas requires approval and proper safety procedures.
