Two men in Kuching were fined a total of RM50,000 each for stealing electricity at a commercial premises, receiving multiple charges under the Electricity Ordinance.
KUCHING: Two men were each fined a total of RM50,000 by the Sessions Court here today for stealing electricity at a commercial premises.
Mazuan Muhamad Muslim Marius, 25, and Vinchy Yap, 19, pleaded guilty to four joint charges under the Electricity Ordinance.
Judge Saiful Bahari Adzmi convicted both accused on all charges related to the offences committed on August 20.
For the first charge of interfering with electrical installations, both were placed on a two-year good behaviour bond of RM5,000 each.
They received a RM5,000 fine each for the second charge of installing direct tapping cables that disrupted meter connections.
The third charge of illegally channelling power to another meter resulted in a RM25,000 fine for each accused.
Both were fined RM20,000 each for the fourth charge of tampering with electrical instruments to prevent accurate energy recording.
All default jail sentences total 15 months imprisonment if the fines are not paid.
The offences occurred between 10.30am and 2.04pm at a commercial premises in Jalan Tondong–Batu Kawa.
Defence lawyers Clement Wong and Christopher Chin sought leniency, stating both were first-time offenders following employer instructions.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ronald Felix Hardin argued for deterrent sentences given the seriousness of commercial electricity theft. – Bernama
