Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) continues to crack down on electricity theft activities through more than 1,600 raids in the past two years across the peninsula, to curb huge losses to the energy industry and the country.
President and CEO of TNB, Dato’ Indera Ir. Baharin Din said that the strategic collaboration between TNB and PDRM has had a very positive impact in efforts to combat such treacherous acts, particularly involving cryptocurrency mining premises, bitcoins and industrial users.
Thus, he said, TNB further increased the logistics facilities of the PDRM team in the Operation Letrik by contributing six 4-wheel drive vehicles (4×4) and 25 containers for the storage of confiscated equipment.
“TNB and PDRM have carried out an integrated operation to curb this activity of electricity theft since November 2020. Until February 2023, this Op Electricity has carried out more than 1,600 series of raids thus curbing losses worth more than RM278.49 million,” he said.
Baharin handed over the vehicle for use by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to the Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani in conjunction with the 216th Police Day Commemoration at the Police Training Center, in Kuala Lumpur on 20 March 2023. It was witnessed by the Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The donation is expected to launch Op Letrik’s operation to crack down on the fraudulent use of electricity, thereby avoiding losses to consumers including the risk of frequent supply cuts.
“Thank you to the PDRM for their support and cooperation in helping TNB track this electricity theft crime throughout Peninsular Malaysia. This Electric Op also has a positive impact on TNB’s operations and thus helps us to focus on efforts to drive the country’s energy transition,” he said.
Tampering with meter installations or illegal connections by bitcoin operators can trigger various incidents including supply disruptions due to overloading and short circuits leading to fires.
“TNB will continue to be committed in providing continued cooperation and commitment to the PDRM in combating the crime of electricity theft and hope that this continued cooperation with the PDRM will last for the good of all parties, especially the people and the country,” added Baharin.
In addition, TNB also got the cooperation of related agencies, especially the Energy Commission (ST) and Local Authorities (PBT) in an effort to combat the theft of electricity which violates the Electricity Supply Act 1990.
