Kota Kinabalu: A 39-year-old man was fined a total of RM30,000 for illegally connecting to the electricity supply and installing unauthorised electrical wiring at a business premises, causing losses to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SE).
Mohd Arif Koh Keah Lin pleaded guilty to both charges before Sessions Court Judge Dr Nur Asyikin Mohktar at the Keningau Sessions Court.
On the first charge, Mohd Arif was fined RM20,000 for dishonestly using electricity by making an illegal connection through the installation of a 16mm² copper three-phase bypass cable directly from the main service line cut-out fuse and neutral link belonging to SE to the distribution board of the cold room at the premises.
The connection bypassed the single-phase electricity meter, resulting in SE undercharging for the electricity consumed and suffering losses.
He committed the offence at 2.20pm on March 9, this year at the Ali Store Fresh Mart 2 premises in Kampung Tuarid Taud, Jalan Tuarid Taud, Keningau.
The offence falls under Subsection 61(3)(a) of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024 and is punishable under Subsection 61(3)(ii) of the same Enactment, which provides for a fine of between RM20,000 and RM1 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, on conviction.
On the second charge, Mohd Arif was fined another RM10,000 for installing electrical wiring connected to the existing electrical wiring at the premises without obtaining written approval from SE.
The second offence was committed at the same place and time.
He paid both fines.
Prosecuting Officer Andryeno Thomas from the Sabah Energy Commission appeared for the prosecution, while Mohd Arif was unrepresented.
