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SANDAKAN – Karamunting rep George Hiew Vun Zin has criticised the government for collecting cables from illegal electricity connections without resolving the real issue – the illegal squatter settlement in the district.
He was referring to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd’s (SESB) recent operation alongside enforcement agencies in four squatter villages – Batu Sapi (including Karamunting) that had seized 432kg of cables that were illegally connected to the squatter houses.
“What is the use of seizing all these cables when you don’t resolve the root cause – the squatter houses?
“The minute SESB steps away from the village, they will be reconnecting these cables again,” Hiew said in a statement today.
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Hiew, who is a Warisan rep, also said that SESB has claimed to have lost about RM131,000 per month and RM1.9 million per year due to illegal electricity connections in Sandakan district alone, but the government lacks drastic action to overcome this loss that is borne by the people.
“How is it that the migrants do not face legal action for stealing electricity, but factories or companies that have illegal electricity settings will be charged in court and punished? Locals who have overdue electricity payments will have actions taken against them, but what about the migrants?
“Is it not turning a blind eye on outsiders and illegal immigrants when they merely cut and seize their cables?” he stressed.
Hiew said he found that the government is weak in taking action when it comes to dealing with illegal squatter houses.
“Once they discover houses that steal electricity, the government should demolish the houses.
“Illegal squatters are like cancer in society; it has been causing many problems and electricity theft is just one of them. The government must be firm and solve the illegal squatter issue once and for all,” he added. –The Vibes, February 27, 2022
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