By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 17: Sarawak Energy Berhad has recorded 48 cases of underground electricity cables being damaged this year, largely linked to excavation works under major infrastructure projects such as the Pan Borneo Highway and the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) system.
Syarikat SESCO Berhad (SESCO) chief executive officer Lau Kim Swee said the damage had resulted in power interruptions, causing inconvenience to the public and posing safety risks to workers on site.
“Once the cable is damaged, it affects the power supply and can lead to outages. It is not only inconvenient to the people but also a safety concern to operators,” he told reporters when met at the Sarawak Energy’s Media Appreciation Dinner held at a local hotel here last night (Jan 16).
Lau said Sarawak Energy has been consistently urging contractors to exercise caution when carrying out excavation works near underground power cables.
He stressed that all contractors—regardless of whether they are involved in Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART), Pan Borneo Highway or other construction projects—should consult Sarawak Energy before commencing any digging activities.
“We have a ‘Call Before You Dig’ programme. Contractors are advised to contact us first, and we will deploy our team to the site to identify the cable routes,” he added.
According to Lau, the programme enables Sarawak Energy personnel to quickly locate underground electricity infrastructure, reducing the risk of accidental damage during construction.
Earlier in his speech, Sarawak Energy Group Chief Operating Officer Dato Ir James Ung said power outages remain an issue that the company continuously addresses through supply reliability enhancement initiatives and public engagement.
He also called on the media to help raise public awareness on mitigating power disruptions, particularly through the ‘Call Before You Dig’ campaign, which requires contractors to consult Sarawak Energy via its customer care centres prior to excavation works.
In addition, Lau highlighted that overgrown vegetation near overhead power lines remains one of the frequent causes of supply interruptions.
He said members of the public can play a role by reporting overgrown vegetation to Sarawak Energy through its customer care centres or via the SEB Cares platform. – DayakDaily
