TAWAU: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) is seeking to conduct an independent power distributor project (IPD) in squatter settlements in the district.
Chief executive officer Mohd Yaakob Jaafar said it had identified several squatter areas for this project, including Kampung Hidayat, Tawau.
"The IPD project has proven to be effective after being carried out in squatter settlements in Kampung Forest, Sandakan in October 2023.
"Cases of power supply disruptions, vandalism and low voltage quality in the surrounding areas are now minimal.
"The Kampung Forest project also proves that it is the answer to the issue of illegal connections that severely affect SESB as it cannot collect revenue from electricity usage."
Sabah has more than 500 squatter colonies, and SESB loses RM200 million annually due to electricity theft.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/02/1017019/most-houses-kampung-h...
SESB said it would submit the proposal to the Sabah Energy Commission to obtain an IPD licence and sell tariff rates.
Meanwhile, SESB is working with the commission to ensure 19 villages in Kota Belud get electricity supply under the rural area electricity supply project next month.
Those villages are Kampung Bukid Kembura, Kampung Gaur, Kampung Pinolobu, Kampung Takulung, Kampung Lumpios, Kampung Lasau Minunsud, Kampung Botung, Kampung Sogoh, Kampung Tengkurus, Kampung Gondukut, Kampung Lahanas, Kampung Taginambur Jaya, Kampung Tamalang, Kampung Bukit Bendera, Kampung Tororobo Tuguson, Kampung Talungan, Kampung Teguson, Kampung Nahaba and Kampung Toburon.