KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga National Berhad (TNB) recorded more than RM440mil in losses due to electricity thefts since 2020, says Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
The Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director said the number of losses also showed a sharp increase over the years.
"In 2020, RM5.9mil in losses were recorded but jumped drastically to RM140.4mil in 2021 followed by RM124.9mil in 2022, RM67.1mil last year and RM103mil so far this year.
"In total, TNB recorded RM440.6mil in losses due to electrical thefts since 2020," he told reporters after the handing over of six four-wheel drives courtesy of TNB at Bukit Aman, which was witnessed by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay on Thursday (Oct 24).
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the CID will study factors that contributed to the losses, particularly in 2022 and last year.
"The losses recorded quite a drop last year compared to the previous year.
"We will study it closely to discover whether the market price of bitcoin is a factor or our continued efforts to curb illegal bitcoin mining," he said.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said a majority of electricity theft cases were due to illegal bitcoin mining.
"We have conducted 2,091 successful raids on illegal bitcoin mining from 2020 to this year.
"We have worked closely with TNB in the operations codenamed ‘Ops Letrik’," he said.
Meanwhile, on the handing over of six four-wheel drives, Comm Mohd Shuhaily said he was grateful for the contributions by TNB.
"We will use the vehicles in future operations on illegal bitcoin mining.
"The contributions are quite significant and will aid us in operations," he said.
During the ceremony, TNB Energy Services Sdn Bhd chairman Prof Zahari Dollah presented a mock key to Deputy IGP Ayob Khan, symbolising the handing over of the vehicles.
Prof Zahari said cooperation with the police is important given the increase in illegal bitcoin mining cases.
"However, we are grateful that it is being curved by the police and other relevant authorities.
"We hope cooperation with the police will contribute in the future," he said.
