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SABAH Electricity (SE) has restored the Kolopis–Segaliud 275kV transmission line, four days after a landslide brought down a key tower and plunged approximately 230,000 users in six east coast districts into darkness.
The collapse occurred on Saturday evening in Kampung Sarapung, Penampang, when days of heavy rain weakened the foundation of Tower 5, causing the structure to give way.
Supply from the west coast was severed, cutting power to Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Kunak, Semporna and Beluran on September 13.
In a late-night briefing on Tuesday, SE chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Yaakob Jaafar confirmed that engineers had re-energised the line at 8.10pm, reconnecting the previously isolated Sandakan grid to the main Sabah grid through the Seguntur intake substation.
“From Segaliud, supply was extended to Lahad Datu, Kunak, Tawau and Semporna via PMU Dam Road. Electricity from Kota Kinabalu is once again flowing to the east coast,” he said in a live feed from SE’s Load Dispatch Centre in Penampang.
Mohd Yaakob said 20 megawatts had initially been transferred, with the load set to rise to 200 megawatts overnight. He added that feeders were being restored district by district, with full stabilisation of supply expected by midnight.
The reconnection also enabled the Segaliud water treatment plant in Sandakan to resume operations, ending water shortages caused by the blackout. The plant had been unable to function without electricity.
An initial assessment found the collapse was triggered by soil erosion from continuous rainfall, which SE described as Sabah’s most serious transmission failure in a decade. More than 50 engineers, contractors and staff were deployed to the site, working in difficult terrain where mud, fallen trees and damaged roads hampered repairs.
Emergency towers are being erected to secure the line, while a permanent replacement is expected to take three months.
During the briefing, Mohd Yaakob broke down in tears as he thanked staff for working tirelessly despite public criticism. He also expressed sorrow over an SE worker swept away by floods in Keningau during the same period.
Masedeh Rosmin, a Sabah Electricity technician, was swept away while inspecting flood-damaged power lines in Keningau on Monday night.
“We take no offence at harsh words. But I plead with the public: be more tolerant, be more understanding. Our staff also have families, yet they are here day and night,” he said.
He noted that SE had initially projected eight days to restore the line but managed to reconnect the east coast in four.
“Alhamdulillah, by midnight Sabah will shine again,” he added. - September 17, 2025
