Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Water Department (SWD) disconnected 34 illegal connections from a distribution pipe at Kampung Suang Parai in Sepanggar, near here, Thursday.
Twelve water pumps installed along the pipe powered by more illegal connections to a nearby electrical pole were also seized in the operation.
SWD had, in 2019, conducted the same operation on the same pipe. Thefts then were done discreetly with attempts to cover the hoses and holes with cloth.
Now, a metal casing installed by SWD to thwart the acts had been boldly pried open and thrown to the side, exposing the nipple-riddled pipe.
Multiple hoses could be traced to a squatter settlement – Kg Bakau – that lies downstream.
“I can’t blame them. They are humans too who just want to survive. The only difference is we are paying and they are getting it for free,” said Moilin Mihoi.
The Suang Parai resident said her family of five has gone a month without water and has been relying on rainwater and cartons of mineral water costing her at least RM50 a week.
“Wait until you all go home. Even before sundown, the illegal connections would be back. This problem will never be solved unless the Government gives them their own designated prepaid metres,” she said.
Another resident said the situation of asking his neighbours for water has become awkward. The thefts do not affect supply to Kg Pulau Penampang just across the street.
“I try not to go to my neighbour but there is no other option. I have developed a thick face. He would tell me to just take as much as I need. I want to pay him but he does not accept.
“I’ve caught the water thieves in the act but can only turn a blind eye. Not all of them in Kg Bakau are illegal immigrants.
“Some citizens are also unashamedly living the free life,” said another resident, Seinun Semar.
The security guard in his 50s claimed the last time he took a bath was when it rained where a bucket of rainwater would be rationed throughout the day.
“I’ve been living here for a decade now. I’ve noticed that the house has been slowly losing water pressure. The situation turned critical about a month ago,” he said.
Meanwhile, SWD Director Baharuhom Sogon said the district recorded up to 38 per cent in non-revenue water.
“It is partly caused by illegal connections to squatter areas. We often conduct disconnection operations here and elsewhere but the problem lingers because of the presence of squatters.
“The issue of illegal connections involving water and electricity requires cooperation from all parties and agencies,” he said.
In SANDAKAN, three business premises were found to be tampering with Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd’s (SESB) metres, resulting in the utility firm suffering a loss of about RM80,000.
“We will constantly monitor and act against those resorting to such acts,” said SESB chief transformation officer (CTO) Ahmad Nassaruddin Kamaruzaman after a joint operation, Thursday.
“Among the efforts carried out by SESB is an integrated operation together with the Energy Commission (EC) to combat metre installation tampering activities,” he added.
The operation was led by East Coast EC Regional Director Mohd Fairul Jaafar.
Those found tampering with metres are believed to have carried out the irresponsible activity since the end of 2019.
“These premises run a frozen business and a commercial store,” he said.
Ahmad said metre tampering is a serious offence and SESB will not tolerate with the perpetrators who can be prosecuted under the Electricity Supply Act 1990.
On power supply theft and illegal connections in squatters, he said SESB is working to tackle the issue.
Among the solutions, he said, is the prepaid power supply, with the pilot project in Kampung Forest Sandakan.
He also disclosed that SESB suffered a loss of about RM150 million due to metre tampering and illegal connections in squatters.
Mohd Fairul said the three offenders found in Thursday’s operation would be investigated under Section 447 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990.
If convicted, the company or individual involved will face a fine of up to RM1 million or an imprisonment of not exceeding five years or both for first-time offence.
For second-time and subsequent offenders, they can be fined up to RM5 million or an imprisonment of not exceeding 10 years or both.
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