KUCHING: Syarikat Sesco Berhad found 13 per cent of the 2,500 meters inspected in cities and towns statewide last week had been tampered with.

The percentage of meters tampered in Kuching was 10, in Sibu 14, Bintulu 20 and Miri 11.

“These figures are considered high,” a spokesman said in a statement yesterday, adding Sesco would continue its operation to cover other towns as well.

In Bintulu, Sesco found 27 shophouses at Parkcity Commercial Centre getting free electricity through illegal direct tapping without the use of meters.

“All illegal connections have been dismantled and police reports lodged. Many connections were unsafe and may cause electrocution to the public and occupants.

“Some premises have started business without installing electricity meters. This unethical action caused loss of revenue to Sesco,” it said.

The spokesman warned that contractors doing this might be blacklisted and banned from undertaking any Sesco contract. Sesco will report the contractor to the licence-issuing authority for action to be taken.

The operation to inspect meters included customers who have been identified and suspected of stealing electricity based on their low monthly electricity bill.

These customers had not allowed Sesco personnel to check their meters or disconnect their electricity supply during earlier operations.

“Sesco turned to the police for its team to gain access into the premises, and found evidence of power theft,” the spokesman said.

In Miri, the operation teams detected many concealed direct tapping in commercial and residential houses. The illegal tapping was done behind the meter fuse, or from the mains.

The week-long operation involved 166 Sesco personnel including auxiliary police personnel. Customers caught for meter tampering or illegal modification of meter wiring were reported to the police for further investigation.

“Sesco has started the investigation to call affected customers for interviews and if evidence is found, they will be prosecuted in court,” he said.

Theft of electricity is an offence under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance, punishable with a fine up to RM100,000 or five years’ imprisonment or both.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/04/01/electricity-theft-rampant-in-towns-and-cities/#ixzz1rso1FriY