Help stamp out cable theft, Sabahans urged

Sabah West Coast Smart Consumers Association president David Chan

KOTA KINABALU: The public can play its part by helping utility company Sabah Electric Sdn Bhd (SESB) deal with the rampant cable theft problem in the state, says the Sabah West Coast Smart Consumers Association.

Its president David Chan said it would be difficult for the authorities to eliminate the problem, which has affected the state’s electricity supply, without support and help from the public.

According to Chan, cases of cable theft or any vandalism needed to be dealt with in an integrated manner, and could not be put squarely on the shoulders of the authorities.

"In this issue, the public needs to be the eyes and ears of the SESB and the authorities,” he said in a statement on Monday (April 10).

“Cable thefts not only cause the electricity supply to be disrupted but also inflict losses on the state.

"We hope this issue is given serious attention (and involves) non-governmental organisations and community leaders," he added.

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Cable thefts have been a persistent problem in Sabah despite the authorities' best efforts.

Last week, cable thieves forced SESB to deploy six portable generators at Menara Kinabalu, the 33-storey administrative building housing the Chief Minister’s office is located, in order to supply power to the site.

Houses and commercial establishments near the building were also affected.

SESB senior general manager (Asset Management) Idris Mohd Noor said they had to install the generators due to supply disruption to the building that was caused by damage to the cables.

He said SESB's technical team had found damage to the 33kV line caused by an attempt to remove and steal the cable.

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Chan said the attempted theft had caused hardship to numerous parties as it might take several days to a week to restore supply.

“We understand that such cases happen often, and ... this activity should be curbed immediately (if not) eradicated,” he stressed.

He also called for owners of second-hand shops or scrap metal dealerships who bought stolen cables to face severe action for their complicity.

There would be fewer thefts if no one bought the stolen cables, he said.