ECoS Initiates Prosecution Process for Electricity Theft in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, 13 November - The Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) has initiated
court proceedings against individuals and companies accused of tampering with electric
meters, causing losses to Sabah Electricity (SE) amounting to more than RM3 million.
"Raids conducted by ECoS and SE since May 2024 have found strong evidence of meter
tampering that caused the meters to fail to record the actual electricity usage. Preliminary
information related to meter tampering activities was obtained from suspiciously low billing
records," said ECoS Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Ir. Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid.
He also informed that apart from the criminal prosecutions in court by ECoS, SE has also
initiated civil lawsuits to claim losses starting early 2025.
Five cases have been filed in the Sessions Court in Sandakan, Sabah under Section 61(3)
of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024, which can result in a fine of not less than
RM20,000 and not more than RM1 million or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if
convicted.
"After this, ECoS will continue with the prosecution of nine more cases of electricity theft. All
electricity theft activities must be dealt with firmly according to the law to protect public
interest and maintain the reliability of the electricity service," said Nasser.
In separate prosecution sessions held on November 10 and 11 at the Sandakan Sessions
Court, individuals Wong Kin Hong, Chang Wan Yee, Wan Kok Hsiung, and companies
Phoenix Series (S) Sdn Bhd and Sama Marketing Sdn Bhd, pleaded guilty and were
imposed a fine of RM20,000, with a six-month imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
"The prosecutions carried out by ECoS are necessary to combat the increasingly rampant
electricity theft activities in Sabah and to help SE from suffering more severe revenue losses
if not curbed. ECoS will not compromise with any party that violates the laws provided under
the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024," said Nasser