SIBU: A man was on Tuesday (March 4) produced in the Magistrates’ Court here to face a charge of mischief for causing wrongful loss to Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) by altering its electricity utility cable.
When the nature of charge was read and explained to Yong Ing Ho, 71, through an interpreter, he understood and pleaded guilty.
Magistrate Romario Jonol fined him RM2,000, in default two months’ imprisonment.
The charge stated that Yong had intentionally tampered with an electicity utility cable, causing wrongful loss to SEB.
The incident took place at a house on Lebaan Road on Nov 27 last year at about 3.56pm.
The offence framed under Section Section 425 and punishable under Section 426 of the Penal Code provides for an imprisonment of up to five years or fine or both.
According to facts of the case, on Nov 27, 2024 at about 3.56pm, a team from Syarikat Sesco Berhad accompanied by police personnel checked the house’s electricity meter and its wiring system.
During the check, they detected irregularities, including direct tapping cables connected to the live and neutral mains wiring leading to mining rigs; clamped direct tapping loads of live (88.7A) and neutral (88.3A); and removal of the electricity meter.
It was believed that the house owner/occupier was responsible for the modifications.
Following an investigation, the accused admitted to illegally connecting Sesco electrical supply to operate a bitcoin mining operation at the premises.
Yong, who was unrepresented by legal counsel, opted to pay the fine.
