KUCHING, Dec 28, 2014: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) said
that its retail arm Syarikat Sesco Berhad (SESCo) had found clear evidence of
electricity meter tampering in respect of a customer who was asked by SESCo to
pay arrears.
"Based on the findings, the meter reading was found
slower by 83%, that its front cover seals were disturbed and the accuracy of the calibration screw inside
the meter was disturbed," SEB said in a statement to rebut claim by Kota
Sentosa State lawmaker Chong Chieng Jen last Saturday.
 |
| Chong Chieng Jen |
A certain Bong, through Kota Sentosa State lawmaker Chong
Chieng Jen, had filed a court action against SESCo after he was asked to pay 36
month arrears amounting to RM11,668.30.
SEB said SESCo had conducted two additional lab tests to
confirm the findings.
"The customer subsequently informed us during
interviews that the premise was rented out during the period that the meter was
tampered with and the tenancy period has ended.
"In SESCo’s view, this explains why the meter showed
low consumption after replacement. In such cases, SESCo studies the pattern and
tampering evidence even more closely before issuing the arrears bill to ensure
the customer is not wrongly charged," SEB said.
SEB reminded house-owners to register meters under their
tenant’s names to avoid being held responsible for arrears bills and to protect
themselves from being asked to settle electricity arrears later.
SEB assures the majority of law - abiding citizens of Sarawak
that the company has a robust and
transparent process to look into billing enquiries or appeals.
"Customers are requested to approach SESCo should
they have any doubt concerning any arrears bills and that complainants will be
properly briefed on any meter irregularities found and on the arrears
computation method.
"During this process, photographs are presented to
the customer as further evidence of irregularities.
"For lab tests on the meter and verification of
meter irregularities, representatives from Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU)
under Ministry of Public Utilities are often present to witness the process.
"Customers are also given the opportunity to give
justification. Should the explanation be satisfactory and supported by valid
documents, an arrears revision will be considered.
"However, it must be noted that SESCo has no discount
policy in an arrears appeal," SEB added.
It warned that stealing electricity is a crime and the
company will continue to conduct meter inspection operations state-wide to put
a stop to power theft.
On Dec 24, Chong had filed a Sessions Court Summons
against SESCo for over-charging a Mr Bong.
On Oct 27, 2011, SESCo changed the electricity meter at
Bong's house and 18 months later, SESCo issued a letter alleging that the meter
was defective and that because of the defect, he had under-paid SESCO a sum of
RM11,668.30.
According to
Chong, the average monthly electricity consumption of Mr Bong before the
change of meter was RM71.
After the change of meter, his average monthly
electricity consumption was only RM69.
Basically, there is no change in the recorded monthly consumption before
and after the change of meter.
Despite Mr Bong’s appeal, SESCo insisted that he pays RM11,668.30
failing which his electricity supply to his house will be disconnected.
"While DAP does not condone electricity theft, we
also condemn SESCo for exploiting its innocent customers, especially where
there is no change in consumption level before and after the change of
meter," Chong said.
He said in Mr Bong’s case, the alleged under-payment of
RM11,668.30 implies that his monthly consumption level before the change of
meter would have been RM400 per month.
"This is absolutely absurd because until today, Mr
Bong’s monthly electricity consumption level is still well below RM100. The allegation of underpayment of RM11,668.30
defies all logics," he charged.
No comments:
Post a Comment