KOTA KINABALU: A local man was slapped with a total of RM60,000 in fines or six months in jail for electricity theft in Sandakan.
The accused had pleaded guilty at the Sandakan Sessions Court to the three separate charges for causing losses to Sabah Electricity (SE) amounting to more than RM180,089.24.
The court imposed a fine of RM20,000, with six months imprisonment if the fine is not paid for each case.
Individuals or companies found guilty of electricity theft can be prosecuted under Section 61(3)(e) of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024, which can result in a fine of not less than RM20,000 and not more than RM1mil or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if convicted.
According to a statement Thursday (Dec 12), Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid said the commission was continuing its focus on power thieves as such acts were causing severe losses to Sabah Electricity.
"We will not compromise with individuals or companies that violate the laws provided under the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024.
"The rampant electricity theft activities in Sabah have resulted in severe losses to Sabah Electricity," he said.
He said SE will initiate civil lawsuits to claim losses starting in early 2025.
ECoS Legal Affairs director Mohd Adam Bohari said they will continue the prosecution process to protect public safety and interests while enhancing the reliability of electricity services.
To date, ECoS has prosecuted 11 cases of electricity theft, and several more cases discovered this year will face prosecution early next year.
