SEB loses hundreds of thousands of ringgit to thieves over last two months

KUCHING, June 4, 2017: Rampant copper theft cases  in northern Sarawak are costing Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) hundreds of thousands of ringgit over the last two months.

One of the two-mounted poles being pulled down and its transformers vandalised.

Not only that, the thefts have also disrupted power supply to consumers and street lights and telecommunication services when copper cables were ripped off from SEB's facilities.

According to Sarawak Energy’s Vice President for Distribution, Siti Aisah Adenan, thieves are getting more daring, vandalising electrical equipment in broad daylight especially at secluded areas. 

She said  electrical transformer’s core, copper conductors and underground cable were among the items found missing.

In Bintulu alone, she said 13 cases of vandalised transformers along the Bintulu-Miri coastal road, Bakun Road, and also in Sebauh and Tatau areas have been reported over the last two months.

She said SEB has to fork out about RM390,000 to replace the damaged or stolen equipment.

In Miri, the latest incident happened along Lutong-Kuala Baram road where two pole-mounted transformers were vandalised.

 The transformers were supplying for customers within the Kuala Baram area and the street lights along Kuala Baram road to the Asean Bridge. 

The stretch of about 8km street lighting columns along the road leading to Kuala Baram is now without light at night. 

Another incident targeting electrical transformers occurred a day before Gawai, causing supply interruption to Batu Niah and Bekenu. 

Siti Aisah said the two recent incidents in Miri happened within a week and are estimated to have incurred a cost of RM120,000 to replace the equipment and repair the damages.

“SEB has increased the patrols and managed to foil two attempts in Bintulu and another two cases of attempted vandalism in Miri.  Our regional teams are also working closely with the police to curb this dangerous crime.

“Public safety is SEB’s utmost priority.  In the recent incidents, the thieves’ modus operandi are using vehicles to pull down the pole mounted transformers before dismantling the core and copper inside the equipment. This is not only endangering their safety, but also the safety of road users,” she said.  

Since 2015, there have been about 429 cases of copper theft targeted at SEB's electrical facilities.

The company has incurred more than RM 5.2million to replace stolen and damaged equipment in the last two years.

While efforts have been stepped up in terms of security and monitoring, she added SEB continues to seek the cooperation of members of the public to report incidents of copper theft or suspicious activities around its facilities.

Concerned citizens may contact Sarawak Energy via its 24-hour call centre at 1-300-88-3111. Reports can also be logged into Sarawak Energy’s “SEB Cares” Mobile App.

What’s left of one of the ransacked transformers.