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MALAYSIA has suffered RM4.8 billion in losses due to electricity theft linked to illegal bitcoin mining since 2018, Deputy Minister for Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir revealed today.
Describing the situation as “alarming”, Akmal stressed the need for continued enforcement to combat the rising threat, which has intensified in tandem with the soaring value of bitcoin.
“Since 2018, electricity theft involving illegal bitcoin mining has cost RM4.8 billion – a massive loss,” he told reporters during a joint enforcement operation targeting seven premises in the capital suspected of power theft.
“In terms of cases, we recorded 2,399 from 2023 to 2024, and this year alone, up to June, there have already been 1,800 cases.”
Akmal attributed the sharp rise in illegal activity to the current value of bitcoin, which he noted now exceeds RM500,000 per unit.
“This creates challenges for enforcement, as more people are willing to take the risk of stealing electricity for mining,” he said.
Today’s operation, carried out by the Energy Commission, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and other agencies, was conducted under Section 37(3) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990, with court-issued warrants authorising the raids.
“Our focus is to stop electricity theft, and public cooperation is crucial,” Akmal said. “If you see cables being connected illegally without going through the meter, report it.”
Authorities say illegal bitcoin mining operations often bypass meters to siphon vast amounts of electricity undetected, posing not only financial risk but also significant safety hazards. - July 17, 2025