Fadillah: Illegal crypto mining main cause of TNB drain
KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) recorded losses of RM5.14bil from electricity theft, mostly linked to illegal cryptocurrency mining, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (pic) told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He said the losses, recorded between 2020 and 2025, were due to meter tampering, unauthorised electricity usage and illegal connections – common methods used by syndicates running crypto mining operations.
“From 2020 until 2025, TNB uncovered 14,489 premises in this activity, opening 77 investigation papers. The total losses borne by TNB amounted to RM5.14bil,” Fadillah said in response to a supplementary question from Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng on the impact of cryptocurrency mining activities.
Fadillah said TNB closely monitors suspicious electricity usage by tracking demand spikes and checking meters for tampering.
Enforcement operations are conducted with the police, the National Financial Crime Prevention Centre, the Communications and Multimedia Commission, CyberSecurity Malaysia, the Inland Revenue Board and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
“If offences are confirmed, the equipment will be seized and further action taken,” he said.
Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, highlighted efforts to raise public awareness through social and traditional media and urged people to report suspected electricity theft.
TNB has also piloted “distribution transformer meters” at substations to better track usage.
Fadillah stressed that not all cases involve deliberate wrongdoing.
“So far, 85 cases involved genuine victims whose data or identity was misused. They are not prosecuted and do not have to pay TNB, unless they are proven responsible.”
He urged property owners, both residential and commercial, to be careful when renting out their premises.
“Make sure tenants apply for electricity supply. Don’t let your name be used so you don’t become a victim of irresponsible electricity use.”
Fadillah also said continuous vigilance and preventive measures are key as illegal cryptocurrency mining continues to strain TNB’s resources.
