KOTA KINABALU: The Sessions Court here fined Maribumi Sdn Bhd RM11,000, in default 30 days’ jail, for carrying out work near an 11kV Sabah Electricity (SE) line without permission, resulting in an accident that left a worker permanently disabled.
Judge Marlina Ibrahim imposed the fine after the company’s project manager pleaded guilty on its behalf.
The court heard the company was installing concrete poles for an optical fibre line near Jalan Montenior in Kg Panitian, Beaufort, when a pole being erected came into contact with an uninsulated 11kV conductor on Sept 18, 2024.
Subcontractor worker Meidrick Xavier Jappri, 23, suffered a severe electric shock and later had his right leg amputated below the knee.
The incident also caused a fuse at Batu 60 junction to trip, disrupting electricity supply in parts of the Batu 62 area.
Investigations found the work was conducted about 2.1 metres from the SE pole, below the minimum safety clearance, and without approval from SE.