BINTULU: Syarikat Sesco Berhad here has incurred a loss of nearly RM41,000 from theft of its copper electric wires within a week.The loss involved repairing damaged electrical wiring at several prominent commercial centres in the coastal town.

A spokesman of the energy company said the first case was reported last Saturday (July 17) at BBC Seri Sinung Commercial Centre followed by the second one on Sunday at the 5th Miles’ BBC Commercial Centre.

Starting Monday, the thieves doubled up their illegal activities which resulted in several more commercial centres housing various businesses facing power blackout for hours.

“This week is the height of the copper wire theft.

Monday (July 19) recorded four cases that struck two blocks at Kemena Commercial Centre (Dockcast & MetroTyres Sdn Bhd) in Tanjung Batu, and again 5th Mile BBC Commercial Centre. The fourth case was at BDA Shahida (Sarawak Rivers Board),” said the spokesman.

On Wednesday (July 21), our regional office again received three more cases at Berjaya Commercial Centres (shoplot behind Lin Hua Hotel), Medan Jaya Commercial Square and BBC Commercial Centre at Jalan Abang Galau.

The next day, Thursday, again three more cases were reported at the New Commercial Centre (Maybank, Old Airport),  Kemena Commercial Centre (Block Thai Hee) and ABF Housing shoplot.

Sesco technicians have fixed the damage and restored the electricity supply to all the affected commercial centres on the day of the theft.

“As of today (yesterday), we didn’t receive any complaint from our customers. Sesco is cooperating with the police to nab the thieves,” said the spokesman.

It is believed that a group of individuals armed with electrical knowledge, skills and proper tools could be behind the theft as they could easily cut off the live copper wiring carrying 415 volts of electricity without injuring themselves.

All the thefts were believed committed between midnight and early morning when the commercial centres were deserted.

A check on the world metal exchange website, revealed that since a week ago, copper prices had increased and that the local copper price is about RM33 per kilogramme.

Source : http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=51962