THE authorities are fighting a losing battle against the major problem of power theft in squatter colonies across Sabah.
The sheer number of such settlements has led to a high demand for illegally tapped electricity, and this is highly dangerous due to the risks brought about by the rudimentary connections.
Recently, a fireman was killed when he tripped on a live wire while putting out a fire near a squatter colony in Sandakan.
In 2011, a policeman chasing a suspected drug pusher at an illegal settlement in Tawau was electrocuted when he ran into a web of makeshift illegal connections.
There may also be unreported cases involving fatalities, especially among immigrants who make up the majority of the occupants at the many illegal settlements. These deaths have sparked a fresh round of debates and called for the problem to be given immediate attention.
Utility company Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) estimates that there are more than 10,000 houses with illegal power connections in 111 squatter colonies across the state. This despite daily enforcement operations held randomly by SESB, occasionally assisted by the police or local authorities.
Former deputy inspector-general of police Tan Sri Bakri Zinin opined that the best way to resolve the problem would be to rid the state of illegal settlements but until then, rigid enforcement operations were the only way to go.
“You cut off a link in the morning and by evening, there would be a new connection,” Bakri said.
This view is shared by those in the know.
The retired policeman served in his home state, Sabah, for more than 20 years and once described squatter colonies as the state’s biggest problem as it roosts criminals, social problems and diseases.
“With that in mind, the authorities should get the people involved when they cut off the links. In the Sandakan case, a fireman died and someone should be held accountable,” Bakri said, adding that as electricity was something that was in high demand, there were people who made money out of it, such as those who provided the connection or hosted the main “intake” point.
“SESB should check their own people, too, and make sure none of them are involved because how else would the squatters know which power lines to link or the time to ‘reconnect’ once the enforcers are gone.”
A senior executive with SESB said illegal connections involved a “hook and line” method, where a live wire was connected between the source and a house.
“There would also be houses that tap the source and distribute electricity to the other units — for a fee — based on what we have discovered in our regular operations,” said the executive, who declined to be named.
“We have reports of our own staff being involved, but these are dealt with internally.”
Enforcement teams from SESB are also exposed to the risks of being attacked by squatters each time they conduct disconnection operations.
“The occupants, be they locals or otherwise, would brazenly confront our men and threaten them. This is the reason we bring along police or the local authorities to assist us. We have been attacked before and in the east coast districts, they would use ‘flying feathers’ to hurt us,” he said, alluding to the metal dart catapults commonly used by immigrants.
“Locals will sometimes throw the names of leaders to threaten us,” he said of villagers who either rented housing lots or provided power supply in squatter colonies.
But enforce, they must, despite all the risks.
State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor had said locals living in the vicinity of illegal settlements should play their part by informing the authorities about power theft.
Hajiji said he had ordered all district and municipal councils under the ministry to work closely with other agencies to deal with the issue. “We will take action,” he assured.
Another long-term solution would be to provide proper housing units for local squatters, Hajiji said, adding that the state and federal governments had intensified the need for constructing affordable homes for sale or rent.
The two deaths have indeed underscored the need for security and enforcement agencies to work together in battling illegal power connections.
Eastern Sabah Security Command, an outfit formed to stave off security threats from across the border and within, has always considered the need to combat power theft as its responsibility.
Its commander, Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun, said it was not only about losses to SESB but the lives of people were at stake as well.
“We need to work together on this and as far as Esscom is concerned, it is our duty to protect the safety of the people.”
Energy Commission (Sabah west coast area) director Nazlin Ab Alim Sadiki said more prosecutions for unlawful power connections could be expected under the Electricity Supply Act 1990 in Sabah. This will send a strong message to those involved in power theft as the offence carries a fine of up to RM100,000, or jail of up to three years or both. More importantly, however, is the political will to resolve the squatter colony issue as it creates the demand for illegal power supply.