KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has partnered with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to improve the governance and management of the nation's power assets.
With the support of the Energy Commission (EC), the improvements align with the proactive role of the MACC in addressing corruption related to electricity theft.
The initiative also aims to ensure stable electrical supply through effective asset management governance.
TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Ir. Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan said TNB is always committed to providing the best value and being proactive in improving practices in asset management entrusted to them.
"With the advisory services of MACC and the approval of EC as the regulator, TNB can take more precise steps in the management of electrical energy assets.
"TNB strives to safeguard all its strategic assets and consistently promotes integrity among its employees to combat negative practices such as corruption and misconduct," he said at the signing ceremony here today.
Among the enhancements under the collaboration is the installation of barrel locks on meter boxes at high-risk premises.
TNB plans to purchase 5000 units of barrel locks in 2024 using the allocation of the third Regulatory Period (RP3) Incentive-Based Regulation (IBR), with installation scheduled for 2025.
Biometric keyless systems will also be selectively installed on 11 kilovolts (kV) Electrical Transformers or low-voltage feeder pillars identified as high risk, involving 3000 units.
Additionally, TNB will implement online CCTV installation at Main Entry Substations and Main Distribution Substations in high-risk areas.
The number of barrel locks and keyless systems to be procured from 2025 to 2027 is subject to the decision of IBR RP4 by the government.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the proactive action has been proven through the Ops Power operation, which successfully uncovered cases of electricity theft by a bitcoin mining syndicate, causing significant losses to TNB and the country.
He added that MACC is ready to cooperate with TNB to detect weaknesses and improve asset management systems and governance to close opportunities for corruption.
"This preventive action is important to reduce losses and ensure the sustainability of the country's electricity supply management," he noted.
TNB's collaboration with authorities, particularly MACC, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and other local agencies, to combat asset tampering by syndicates, is not the first time.
Previously, the cooperation provided by MACC successfully uncovered the activities of these syndicates several years ago.