MIRI, Sarawak – A man has been fined RM120,000 (S$36,000) by a court docket in Sarawak for electricity theft linked to cryptocurrency mining.
On July 11, Hii King Lee, 49, pleaded responsible to 2 separate fees.
The primary offence concerned the dishonest extraction of electricity at a row of economic retailers alongside Jalan Bulatan Parkin within the metropolis of Miri in Sarawak in January 2024. The second offence occurred at a residential property in Jalan Desa Seri Utama within the metropolis on April 23, 2025.
In response to the details of the case, officers from power improvement firm Sesco’s income administration division, licensed below Sarawak Power, had performed routine inspections of electricity meters at each places.
They found unlawful direct tapping cables that bypassed the meters, unlawfully diverting electricity.
With a court-approved search warrant and the consent of Hii’s landlords, a raid was carried out on the accused’s residential premises by Sesco officers, who had been accompanied by the police.
Investigations revealed 90 Bitcoin mining machines related instantly through the cables, thereby avoiding reliable electricity fees.
Hii was additionally allegedly present in possession of unlawful substances. He’s presently dealing with a number of different fees in Miri regarding medication and corruption.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ronald Felix Hardin underscored the seriousness of electricity theft, notably in cryptocurrency operations, which require a steady energy provide and cooling.
He warned that such installations pose hearth hazards and broader security considerations. He additional suggested landlords to make sure that electricity accounts are transferred to their tenants to keep away from being implicated in potential future misuse.
Choose Afidah Binti Abdul Rahman imposed the RM120,000 fine.
The court docket famous that Hii is dealing with an extra electricity theft cost below the identical ordinance, which is presently pending earlier than the Classes Court docket in Kuching.
That case is scheduled for additional point out on July 24, 2025.
Hii’s spouse, 38-year-old Hii Lay Ching, failed to look for her court docket listening to on the identical day.
She is dealing with two counts of electricity theft, allegedly dedicated on Nov 23, 2024, at shophouses in Jalan Pujut, Sarawak.
She had beforehand claimed trial in relation to an identical offence at a shophouse in Eastwood Valley Industrial Park on Dec 16, 2024, and was launched on bail on June 26, 2025. The court docket has issued a warrant for her arrest, with the following point out scheduled for Aug 4. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
