KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has introduced a reward policy for whistleblowers of meter installation tampering (KUPM) and illegal electrical connections (SETS).
According to the state utility company, informants can earn one per cent of SESB's recovered losses from these cases.
The move is initiated to curb illegal activities involving the public.
"SESB will not compromise on cases involving fraudulent electricity usage or tampering with SESB cables, and will seek damages through court orders," read the statement.
SESB has already taken several legal actions.
On May 28, a company director was fined RM25,000 or faced five months imprisonment for obstructing an SESB meter from recording electricity usage.
On June 21, the Kota Kinabalu Magistrate's Court sentenced a man to 12 months imprisonment for cutting SESB cables in the UiTM Sabah area.
This conviction was made under Section 431A of the Penal Code, which carries penalties of up to two years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Mohd Yaakob added that there are more cases being prepared for court action.
These cases have been submitted to the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECOS) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for further action.
Tampering with or modifying electricity meters is an offense under the 2024 Electricity Supply Enactment in Sabah and the 1990 Electricity Supply Act in the Federal Territory of Labuan. Offenders under the 2024 Enactment face fines up to RM100,000 or imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
The 1990 Act, amended in 2016, imposes fines up to RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
Actions can be taken under Sub-sections 61(1), 61(3), and 61(9) of the 2024 Enactment or Sub-sections 37(1), 37(3), and 37(14) of the 1990 Act.
First-time domestic offenders can be fined between RM1,000 and RM50,000, imprisoned for up to one year, or both under the 1990 Act.
Under the 2024 Enactment, fines range from RM1,000 to RM100,000, with similar imprisonment terms.
Commercial offenders face fines between RM20,000 and RM1 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
"We remind the public not to install any tampering devices as it not only causes losses to SESB but can also endanger lives."