Kota Kinabalu: A 43-year-old Filipino who instructed an individual to install an illegal electricity connection running directly from Sabah Electricity (SE)’s low-voltage supply line and paid him RM50 per month, was fined RM1,500 or spend three months in prison.
Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain meted out the sentence to Robin Nuning after he pleaded guilty to the charge against him.
Robin, who holds an IMM13 document, had dishonestly abstracted electricity supply belonging to SE by using a cable connection with a six-gang power extension socket plug measuring about 14 metres to obtain electricity directly from a neighbouring premises without going through a registered SE’s meter, which caused SESB to be undercharged and suffer losses.
He committed the offence at 10.05am on Aug 6, this year at a squatter house in Kampung Sri Kenangan 2, Jalan Sepanggar, near here.
The charge was framed under Section 61(3)(a) of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024, punishable under Section 61(3)(i) of the same enactment, which provides for a fine of between RM1,000 and RM100,000, or jail of up to one year, or both.
Robin paid the fine.
The court heard that on the said day, a Sabah Energy Commission (ECoS) enforcement team together with technicians from SE, conducted an integrated operation to eradicate illegal electricity connections at the squatter house in Kampung Sri Kenangan 2, Jalan Sepanggar, here.
Physical inspections and technical tests conducted by SE technicians found an illegal electricity connection running directly from SE’s low-voltage supply line, through a socket at a neighbouring premises, to Robin’s premises without passing through any registered meter.
The team found that the electricity was used to power household appliances, including a refrigerator, washing machine, television, lights and fans.
The enforcement team seized a 14-metre cable connected to a “Six Gang Power Extension Socket Plug”, which had been used as an improvised device to channel electricity illegally to Robin’s premises.
Further investigation confirmed that Robin had instructed an individual named Fairul to install the illegal electricity connection and paid him RM50 per month.
Prosecuting Officer Andryero Thomas from the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) while Robin was not represented.
