MIRI, April 24: Cryptocurrency mining activities have surged in Miri, making it the epicenter of such operations in the region.
Reports indicate a sharp increase in cases related to crypto mining, raising alarm among local authorities.
While technically not illegal in and of itself, most crypto mining activities when conducted as large scale operations resort to illegally stealing electricity and substandard wiring practices.
Expressing deep concern over this trend, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts I (Tourism) Datuk Sebastian Ting Chew Yew, highlighted the need for immediate action to address the growing issue.
For the record, Miri is the city with the highest number of reported cases related to crypto mining activities among other cities in Sarawak.
In 2020, more than 100 crypto mining activities were reported.
Therefore, Ting emphasised the importance of vigilance among property owners, urging them to remain alert regarding their properties, especially those being rented out.
During a press conference held on Wednesday, at Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Piasau branch, Ting stressed the significance of regular property inspections to ensure compliance with regulations and to identify any illicit activities.
The Deputy Minister called upon property owners to take proactive measures to safeguard their premises and prevent them from being misused for illegal purposes.
In a notable shift, the trend of crypto mining has transitioned from urban areas to suburban and rural regions, reflecting evolving strategies employed by miners to evade detection and optimize operations.
“Recent months have seen a slight uptick, with nine reported cases under investigation, suggesting a potential resurgence of crypto mining activities,” Ting added.
He said, authorities, including Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) are diligently probing these incidents to uncover the extent of illicit operations and enforce necessary actions.
“Initial phases of crypto mining predominantly targeted shophouses, leveraging their commercial facades to obscure mining activities. However, as regulatory scrutiny intensified, miners adapted by shifting their operations to residential properties, exploiting the anonymity and lower visibility of houses to avoid detection,” Ting pointed out. — DayakDaily
