Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing (in white) mingling with the bitcoin victims during a press conference at his service centre. -Ronnie Chin/The Star
IPOH: More than 60 homeowners and shoplot owners have fallen victim to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) claims worth millions due to illegal electricity connections by tenants engaged in cryptocurrency mining activities.
Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing reported receiving such cases from residents within the Gopeng constituency, as well as from Manjung and Setiawan.
He noted that the total claims range from RM30,000 to as much as RM1.2mil.
"The property owners are outraged, as it's not their fault, and even selling their properties won't cover the claims from TNB.
"According to the Electricity Supply Act, TNB's actions are based on loss of income due to meter tampering. However, the law does not require TNB to prove that the registered user committed the act, which can lead to abuse and result in innocent homeowners bearing huge losses," he stated at a press conference at his service centre on Jan 22.
Simpang Pulai assemblyman Wong Chai Yi, Astaka assemblyman Jason Ng, and some property owners were also present.
Tan emphasized that while homeowners are victims, TNB and the nation also suffer due to electricity disruptions and losses.
He urged the Energy Commission and relevant authorities to take action against illegal cryptocurrency activities to prevent further crimes.
"Amendments to the Electricity Supply Act are needed to protect the rights of consumers or account holders," he added.
Tan reported that most victims received claims for illegal electricity connections and that fake identities were used to open TNB accounts without homeowners' knowledge.
"Immediate steps should include amending the Electricity Supply Act 1990 to ensure joint responsibility between homeowners and tenants for electricity consumption, creating a central rental database to monitor high-risk tenants, and TNB offering structured repayment plans to ease the victims' burden," he suggested.
Tan plans to bring these cases to the Cabinet's attention in the upcoming parliamentary session in February for further discussion.
He advised homeowners to switch their TNB accounts when renting out properties to prevent similar incidents.
Yen Pit Yun, 43, a hair salon owner, has been asked to settle RM1.2mil by TNB for electricity consumption. She rented out the upper unit of her shoplot in Panorama Lapangan Perdana, Simpang Pulai, last July.
"The tenant claimed they were storing business items, but within two months, I was informed by TNB that the bill was RM1.2mil.
"On Aug 30, I noticed something wrong when I saw tenants with huge wires. Afraid to confront them, I lodged a police report, and they moved out two days later.
"When I entered the unit, it was a mess, with wires everywhere and holes in the walls," she recounted.
Yen claimed the same tenants have moved to nearby shoplot units.
Another victim, Mohd Najib Abdul Hadi, a retired army personnel, rented out his house in Manjung for six months starting January last year.
Living in Taiping, Mohd Najib only learned his house was used for illegal cryptocurrency mining when he received a TNB notice about meter tampering and owed RM86,000.
"I tried contacting the tenant but got no response. When I checked my house, it was in a terrible state," he said.
All victims have lodged police reports, with many receiving notices from TNB, some legal notices, and others asked to appear in court.
