BINTULU, March 6: Police have raided a cryptocurrency mining centre here for stealing electricity, following a report lodged by Sarawak Energy Bhd.
Sarawak Energy, in a press statement, revealed that a joint-operation was conducted together with the Ministry of Utilities and the police.
Sarawak Energy’s meter inspection team found that the data mining centre located at the second floor of a shophouse in Jalan Sibiyu have directly tapped electricity from the main, bypassing the meter.
According to the state energy provider company, the operation was triggered by public tip-offs and months of surveillance following detection of irregular electricity readings for the premises.
“The premise raised suspicions when it was recording unreasonably low monthly power bills of RM50 to RM150 despite round-the-clock operations of its mining servers.
“Eventual on-site load readings would show that the monthly power consumption should have been at least RM5,000,” the statement said.
Sarawak Energy also noted that a police report was also lodged and the business owners will be called in to facilitate investigation.
“The EIU and State Attorney-General will commence legal action against the business owner for stealing electricity under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance,” it said.
Meanwhile, a total of 85 cryptocurrency operators in Kuching, Sibu and Miri have been raided by Sarawak Energy for stealing electricity since 2018. This case was the first recorded in Bintulu.
“Sarawak Energy will continue to carry out meter inspections and investigation operations throughout Sarawak together with the Ministry of Utilities and the police in order to curb this dangerous activity.
“Sarawak Energy also remind customers not to trust service providers claiming to be able to reduce electricity bills or allow premise owners to enjoy limitless electricity through meter tampering as meter inspection teams are trained to detect tampered meters and direct tapping wires as part of efforts to curb power theft.”
The public is encouraged to continue to report any suspicious activity, including details of power theft service providers via Sarawak Energy’s customer care centre at 1300-88-3111 or email at customercare@sarawakenergy.com.
All information obtained will be kept strictly confidential, it continued. — DayakDaily
