SABAH Electricity conducted 35 patrol and monitoring operations in the Karambunai constituency between January and June this year as part of efforts to curb cable theft.
State Assistant Minister of Works and Utilities Datuk Seri Ruddy Awah said the utility company viewed cable theft seriously as it not only caused financial losses but also affected the reliability of electricity supply to consumers.
“Based on Sabah Electricity records, there were 12 medium-voltage cable theft cases recorded in and around Karambunai in 2025, comprising seven cases in the Kota Kinabalu area and five in Karambunai.
“From January to June this year, five cases were recorded, with one in Kota Kinabalu and four in Karambunai,” he said when replying to a question from Karambunai Assemblyman Datuk Dr Aliakbar Gulasan during the State Legislative Assembly sitting on Tuesday.
Ruddy said Sabah Electricity had stepped up preventive measures through regular patrols and monitoring in identified high-risk areas, including integrated enforcement operations with relevant agencies.
He said the utility company was also strengthening cooperation with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), local authorities and local communities to enable faster action against suspicious activities.
“The Government, through Sabah Electricity, will continue to strengthen preventive measures, intensify patrols at hotspot areas and take firm action against those involved to safeguard utility assets and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for the people of Sabah,” he said.
In a supplementary question, Aliakbar asked whether the ministry was considering installing more solar-powered street lights in areas prone to cable theft.
Responding, Ruddy said while the State was looking at alternative solutions, including solar lighting, theft remained a major challenge.
“We are worried because cable theft will not stop as long as there are buyers. We need to look into this issue together because it affects electricity users and even telecommunications infrastructure,” he said.
He added that solar-powered street lights had already been installed in some areas but thieves had also targeted those facilities.
“Even when solar lights are installed, they can still be stolen. This is not a weakness on the part of Sabah Electricity or telecommunications agencies because these are criminal acts that are difficult to predict,” he said.
Ruddy urged elected representatives and local communities to work closely with enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious activities to the police so that preventive action could be taken promptly.
“We must work together to ensure the safety and comfort of the community,” he said.
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