{
  "id": 15580166,
  "title": "Sabah electricity offences draw RM2.23mil in fines",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/sabah-electricity-offences-draw-rm2-23mil-in-fines",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T08:19:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1558996/sabah-electricity-offences-draw-rm223mil-fines"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kota Kinabalu, Sabah - The Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) has issued RM2.23 million in fines for electricity supply offences in the state between 2024 and October this year, according to Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid, the chief executive officer of the commission. The fines were issued for a variety of crimes, including 28 cases of illegal electricity connections, 19 instances of meter tampering, two electric shock accidents, and one case of supplying electricity without a licence. In 2026 alone, the commission recorded 50 convictions, resulting in fines totalling RM1,601,800. This compares to 8 convictions in 2024 with RM160,000 in fines, and 23 convictions in 2025 with RM465,000 in fines. There are still 41 cases under prosecution, and 33 processed for compound action. The estimated financial losses from electricity theft and meter-tampering, resulting from these convictions, amount to RM9.49 million, highlighting the significant impact these offences have on Sabah's electricity sector. The ECoS remains committed to enforcing electricity supply laws and taking action against those responsible.",
  "summary": "KOTA KINABALU: Fines for electricity supply offences in Sabah have totalled RM2.23 million from 2024 to October this year.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sabah's Energy Commission fined RM2.23 million for electricity supply offences in 2024-2025.",
    "50 convictions in 2026, RM1.6 million in fines, compared to 8 in 2024 and 23 in 2025.",
    "Estimated financial losses from electricity theft and meter-tampering amount to RM9.49 million."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in convictions and fines reflects a heightened enforcement effort to curb electricity theft and meter tampering that threatens the financial stability of Sabah's power sector.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}