ROMPIN: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) detected 870 cases of electricity theft on residential and commercial premises in the state last year.
Pahang TNB general manager Datuk Sharuddin Mohd Simin said that residential premises recorded the highest number of cases at 698, based on 5,385 inspections.
He said that commercial premises registered 172 cases based on findings from 3,150 raids.
Sharuddin said that all the inspections were made possible through public tip-offs.
According to him, inspections at 14 locations in the state found that Kuantan registered the highest number of residential electricity thefts at 193, followed by Rompin with 181 cases and Pekan (117).
As for commercial premises, Kuantan recorded the highest number of cases at 80, followed by Gebeng Industrial Area at 17 and Raub (16).
"Users committed the offences by using magnets to disturb or slow down (TNB electric) metres, as well as by setting up electricity connections which bypassed the metre.
"Users found guilty of (reducing their metre’s electricity usage reading) can be penalised under the Electricity Supply (Amendment) Act 2015 through fines," he said.
Sharuddin was speaking on the sidelines of a Back-to-School programme organised by TNB and the Rompin Member of Parliament service centre at SK Leban Chondong. The event was launched by Muadzam Shah assemblyman Datuk Seri Maznah Mazlan.
Sharuddin also warned users against falling for claims by some quarters that certain instruments can help them save electricity, as in reality, the instruments are ineffective.
He said that there are many ways to save on electricity usage: such as utilising electrical items which require less electricity. These are available on the market and have been certified by relevant authorities.
"Users need to practice efficient use (of electricity), such as by not placing refrigerators too near a stove, avoiding putting hot food in their fridge, and utilising the laundry machine in the most efficient way, among others.
"What is more important though, is that users must not tamper with the metre, especially the electronic type, as this may cause it to become damaged," Sharuddin added.