KOTA KINABALU: The Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) has charged a resident of a squatter settlement in Sepanggar with multiple offences under the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024 (EBE 2024).
The first charge, under Section 8(1)(b), involves supplying electricity to several premises within the settlement without a valid licence. If convicted, the accused faces a fine of up to RM1 million, a jail term of up to 10 years, or both.
The second charge, under Section 61(3)(a), relates to dishonestly tapping electricity, which carries a penalty of between RM1,000 and RM100,000, or imprisonment of up to one year, or both.
The third charge, under Section 61(8), involves installing electrical wiring without the permission of the licensed holder, Sabah Electricity (SE). Upon conviction, the offence carries a fine of up to RM50,000 or a one-year jail term, or both.
The accused pleaded not guilty. The court granted bail of RM15,000 with two local sureties, but the accused was remanded after failing to post bail. The case will be mentioned again on January 22, 2026.
ECoS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ir. Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid said this was the first electricity theft case from a squatter settlement brought to court. He said ECoS, together with SE, will intensify efforts to curb such activities.
He added that electricity theft in squatter areas not only causes major losses to SE but also poses serious safety hazards due to non-standard installations, often resulting in supply disruptions to registered consumers nearby due to excessive load.
