Sarawak looking into tougher laws against theft of public utility equipment

SARAWAK is working on tougher laws to deal with the theft of equipment and cables after telcos and utility companies reported a loss of RM20 million last year.

State Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Julaihi Narawi, in his opening address at the official launch of the vandalism prevention campaign for utility and telecommunication facilities in Kuching this afternoon, urged the government to amend relevant laws related to such vandalism at utility facilities and telecommunication infrastructure .

He said the laws need to be tightened by imposing harsher penalties on vandals.

Julaihi said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg will discuss with the state attorney-general the proposal for tougher laws to deal with the problem. Currently, the laws applicable to such vandalism cases are the Second-hand Dealers Act, 1946 and Sections 426 and 447 of the Penal Code, he said.

Under the Second-hand Dealers Act, which he described as “one of the best preventive measures against vandalism and the activities of second-hand goods traders in Sarawak” currently, unlicensed operators and individuals selling stolen or second-hand goods whose source could not be explained, could be prosecuted.

Section 426 of the Penal Code deals with mischief and the punishment is imprisonment of up to three months, or a fine, or both.

This section outlines the legal consequences for individuals found guilty of causing damage or destruction to property, which is categorised as mischief.

Section 447 deals with criminal trespass – punishment could mean jail time of up to six months, a fine of up to RM3,000, or both.

Abang Johari agreed the fines meted out under the available laws were too lenient and the fines similarly too low that makes it worthwhile to steal the copper cables, galvanised pipes, batteries and other equipment that have value.

He said it would not be much of a problem for the vandals to pay the fine with part of their loot, allowing them to remain free and steal again.

Julaihi said there were 1,406 vandalism cases involving utility and telecommunication infrastructure last year.

According to records from the police and relevant agencies, the telcos reported 1,079 cases with losses estimated at RM15.8 million, 266 cases from the state electricity companies whose losses was in the region of RM3.6 million, and 57 cases from the water supply companies and an estimated loss of RM244,000.

There were also four cases from the gas distribution sector with losses totalling RM30,500. – July 3, 2024.