Sarawak Energy uncovers theft of electricity at the premises of a major supermarket in Miri

MIRI, Dec 29 2025:  Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) has uncovered a third case involving the premises of a major supermarket chain in Miri City, following earlier incidents detected at the premises of its outlets in Siburan and Serian.

Caption: Direct tapping cables uncovered following the removal of the gypsum board, revealing connections to the first floor of the premises. 

SEB, in a statement today, said an illegal direct tapping of electricity using the same method was identified at the premises of the Miri’s outlet in the previous offences.

“The illegal connection resulted in an estimated loss of RM7,300 per month,” it said, adding that the electricity theft was discovered by Syarikat SESCO Berhad (SESCO), its retail and operations arm.

“Investigations found that cables were illegally tapped directly from the incoming mains at the five-foot way.

“The cables were concealed above the ceiling and covered with cable trunks in several areas of the outlet to avoid detection.

“During the operation, SESCO’s meter inspection team removed sectors of the gypsum ceiling

to expose the illegal connections before dismantling and seizing all direct tapping cables.

“Investigations have commenced under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance, which carries penalties of up to RM200,000 in fines and/or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

“Despite electricity tariffs in Sarawak being among the most competitive in the region, some business operators continue to engage in electricity theft.

“Unauthorised electricity connections that do not comply with SESCO’s safety standards are illegal and pose serious risks, including electrocution, fire hazards, damage to electrical equipment and

potential loss of life.

“Such illegal connections also place strain on the power system, increasing the risk of supply disruptions that cause unnecessary inconvenience to neighbouring premises,”  SEB said.

It also said that it is actively inspecting relevant supermarket chains and other premises

suspected of power theft as ongoing enforcement efforts.

“SESCO’s inspection teams are equipped with the expertise and tools to effectively detect concealed and unauthorised connections, including complex setups designed to avoid detection,” it stressed.

SEB said members of the public are encouraged to report any suspected electricity theft to Sarawak

Energy’s Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111 or via email at customercare@sarawakenergy.com.

It added all reports will be treated with strict confidentiality.

 

Social activist Voon suggests all childcare centres, nurseries install CCTV cameras in their premises

KUCHING, Dec 29 2025: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni has urged the Welfare Department to make it mandatory for all childcare centres and nurseries to install  live CCTV cameras covering all areas in their premises.

Voon Shiak Ni: The frequencies of unannounced  inspections by the Welfare Department officials should be increased for stricter monitoring on the operations of these childcare centres and nurseries.

She said the footage must be retained for at least 30–60 days for parents and relevant authorities to access in the event of  any incident which needs verification.

“Any tampering with or disabling CCTV cameras should result in immediate licence revocation and legal consequences,” she said in a statement in a response to a shocking a viral CCTV footage which showed a baby abuse case in Petaling Jaya recently.

Voon said the frequencies of unannounced  inspections  by the Welfare Department officials should be increased for stricter monitoring on the operations of these childcare centres and nurseries.

She suggested that parents should be empowered to assist and be eyes and ears of the department, enabling them to play their role and be partners to safeguarding the safety of the babies at the chldcare centres and nurseries.

She said the measure of a society is how it protects the most vulnerable, saying that babies and small children deserve absolute protection in the environment they are settled in .

Voon said the Children Statistics Malaysia 2025 shows a 12.7per cent  rise in reported child abuse cases in Malaysia, excluding those which have gone unreported .

“I also seriously encourage the public to participate in the prevention of occurrences of child abuse cases,” she said, suggesting  that they should  be eyes and ears in their community and to report any case in their neighbourhood so to save abused children from their perpetrators, not only at childcare or daycare centres but also at home .

Voon said she is shocked to see a case from a viral CCTV footage which showed a six-month-old baby being thrown,  tossed and roughly handled by a caregiver at a nursery in Taman Desa, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

She said the inhumane action of the caregiver has sent shivers down the spine of all parents who have entrusted their small kids at daycare centres .

Voon said there have been quite  a number of incidents of child abuses or negligences reported this year, including the latest one reported in Negeri Sembilan where a one year old baby died under the care of a nanny at an unregistered daycare centre and a post-mortem examination revealed injuries to the child’s abdomen .

Do something to help the elderly, with many obstacles, to receive their SKAS financial aid, Violet urges Fatimah

KUCHING, Dec 29 2025:  The state Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development has been urged to show compassionate to the elderly recipients of Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) who do not have smartphones.

Violet Yong: Some do not own smartphones, cannot navigate mobile applications or are chronically ill, bedridden or physically incapable of completing digital processes 

DAP’s Pending State Legislative Member (SLM) Violet Yong Wui Wui said she has submitted a letter to the minister Fatimah Abdullah  calling for an immediate tabling of a Cabinet paper to address a policy gap in SKAS which she had raised during the recent Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) sitting.

“The letter also enclosed the names and particulars of affected eligible SKAS recipients who have requested that the assistance be disbursed directly into their bank accounts,” Violet said in a statement today.

“From the feedback received, there are many senior citizens who are fully qualified for SKAS yet unable to access the aid due to digital barriers.

“Some do not own smartphones, cannot navigate mobile applications or are chronically ill, bedridden or physically incapable of completing digital processes,“ she said.

Violet said SKAS is meant to support basic living and as such no eligible elderly person should be denied aid because of age, illness or digital limitations.

“I, therefore, urge for a state Cabinet decision to allow SKAS to be disbursed through bank accounts or other suitable non-digital channels for this group of eligible elderly beneficiaries.

“This is a practical, secure and compassionate solution that can be implemented in time for the 2026 roll-out,” she added.