SANDAKAN: Two squatter settlements - Pagiran Galpam and Tinusa 1 - in Sandakan were raided in a major joint operation targeting electricity theft and illegal power supply activities, with six investigation papers opened against those involved.
The integrated operation on April 22-23, led by the Sabah Energy Commission (ECoS), involved more than 50 officers from the police, the Immigration Department, Sandakan Municipal Council, the Water Department and Sabah Electricity, among others.
ECoS Chief Operating Officer Ridwan Saham said investigations were opened for a range of offences under the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024.
“Among the offences identified are stealing electricity, conducting illegal electricity sales activities and making electrical connections without authorisation,” he said.
Ridwan said those found guilty of electricity theft face prosecution under Section 61(3) of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024, which carries a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both, on conviction.
Illegal electricity sales activities are investigated under Section 8(1)(b) of the same enactment, a far more serious charge carrying penalties of up to RM1 million in fines, up to 10 years’ imprisonment, or both.
Unauthorised electrical connections made without the approval of licensed distributor, Sabah Electricity, fall under Section 61(8), which provides for fines of up to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both.
Ridwan also said a separate case involving electricity theft and illegal electricity sales at a squatter settlement in Sepanggar is currently before the Kota Kinabalu courts and proceeding to prosecution.
ECoS said enforcement operations of this nature would continue periodically to safeguard the integrity of Sabah’s electricity supply system and stamp out all forms of illegal power use Statewide.
