KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has initiated an interim project to replace illegal power connections at a squatter colony in the Sandakan district.
SESB chief executive officer Mohd Yaakob Jaafar said the initiative, which began in September 2023, saw 711 houses at Kampung Forest here receive safe and stable electricity supply.
He said the government's and Energy Commission's decision to approve the independent power distributor (IPD) concept at the colony is an interim solution to the rampant illegal power connections.
"Power supply infrastructure such as poles and lines in that area have also been upgraded and follow safety standards.
"The IPD is also monitoring the infrastructure to avoid vandalism, which can cause power disruption to consumers," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 31).
According to Mohd Yaakob, data analysis showed that 25% of power cuts were due to illegal connections in squatter colonies.
Sabah Local Government and Housing Ministry statistics also estimate that there are 31,470 houses or 224 squatter colonies state-wide.
"SESB hopes this initiative is supported and will be our first step to provide legal and safe power supply to squatters across Sabah and Labuan," he added.
Meanwhile, he said SESB had approved a policy to incentivise informants who report meter tampering and illegal power connections.
He said a reward of 1% of the SESB losses recorded due to meter tampering or illegal power connection would be given.
"Meter tampering saw a 98% increase from 473 cases in 2020 to 935 cases in 2021. As of August this year, there have been 896 cases.
"Twenty-nine meter-tampering cases have been brought to court so far," he said.
Those with relevant information on any illegal activities can contact their respective SESB zone/area manager or contact 088-282 782, 088-282 779 or 088-282 778.
