By DayakDaily Team
MIRI, May 7: Preliminary investigations into a recent fire incident at a vacant residential property in Vista Perdana Phase 2 confirmed that the operator used stolen electricity to power a cryptocurrency mining operation, says Sarawak Energy Berhad.
In a media release issued today, Sarawak Energy said that the fire was believed to have been caused by an overload, with indications pointing to the cryptocurrency mining servers as the source.
It added that illegal direct tapping cables were also uncovered, concealed behind the air conditioner’s compressor unit to evade detection by authorities.
“The fire was contained before it could spread to neighbouring properties, safeguarding occupants and adjacent properties from more harm and mitigating potential financial losses.
“Further investigations are underway to determine the individuals responsible for the incident. If found guilty, the individuals responsible may face charges under Section 33 (5) of the Electricity Ordinance, which carries penalties of up to RM200,000 in fines and/or a maximum of five years imprisonment,” it said.
The media release also stated that Sarawak Energy’s utility arm, Syarikat SESCO Berhad (SESCO), has repeatedly warned the public about the dangers of tampering with electrical supplies, as such actions often involve substandard wiring not compliant with SESCO’s safety standards.
“These unsafe installations pose significant risks, including short circuits, fires, and in extreme cases, loss of life or major power supply disruption to the surrounding area.
“Sarawak Energy is ramping up its efforts to raise awareness through its anti-power theft campaign. The company is working closely with relevant authorities, keeping up to date with the latest trends and equipping its team’s capabilities to detect new and evasive electricity theft methods.”
The company also urged the public to exercise vigilance against any offers from service providers claiming to be able to reduce electricity consumption or provide unlimited power through meter tampering.
Additionally, landlords are strongly encouraged to transfer electricity accounts to their tenants as a proactive measure to mitigate liability in cases of tenant-perpetrated electricity theft.
Sarawak Energy encourages anyone with information about electricity theft to come forward and contact its Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111 or email customercare@sarawakenergy.com while reassuring that all information provided will be kept strictly confidential. — DayakDaily
