TNB faces RM5.05b tax bill following apex court verdict
The company reportedly warned that the ruling may impact its earnings and net assets this year.
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The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
FOMCA urges stronger action against electricity theft in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Electricity theft must no longer be treated as a minor violation, as it costs Malaysia billions annually, warns the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA). The group demands stronger enforcement, smart meters, and legal reforms to curb illegal mining and unfair consumer burdens. FOMCA chief executive officer Dr T. Saravanan stressed the need for advanced detection systems, including real-time monitoring and data analytics, to flag suspicious power usage. 'Enforcement must target not just illegal miners but also landlords and financiers enabling these operations,' he said. Saravanan urged revising penalties to match the crime's severity, with higher fines and prison terms. He also proposed regulated pathways for legal crypto-mining. 'Special tariffs and licensing can prevent black-market activities while monitoring compliance,' he added. The call follows Deputy Energy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir's revelation that illegal bitcoin mining caused RM4.8 billion in losses since 2018. FOMCA insists on transparency to ensure consumers aren't subsidising theft through higher bills. 'Public trust depends on clear communication and fair solutions,' said Saravanan, urging Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and the government to act decisively. - Bernama
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Illegal miners exploit Bitcoin surge, putting lives and property at risk
ALOR STAR: Driven by greed and emboldened by soaring Bitcoin prices, illegal mining syndicates are putting lives at risk with total disregard for public safety, operating right above clinics, workshops and grocery stores. Energy Transition and Water Transformation Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the cryptocurrency's value, now exceeding RM500,000 per coin, has spurred criminal groups to act with increasing recklessness. "This isn't happening in remote areas. They're not only risking financial loss through our seizures and raids on their operations but are also endangering lives by creating serious fire hazards," he said after a joint enforcement operation involving Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the Energy Commission (ST) and the police today. Akmal cited raids at two premises today as examples, where illegal Bitcoin mining operations were found above occupied commercial units. "They had modified existing electrical systems, including replacing fuses and boosting the supply capacity from 200 amperes (A) to 400A. This is a dangerous setup that poses a major fire risk to surrounding users. "One premises had a clinic and a grocery shop on the ground floor. Another was above a workshop. These are legitimate businesses run by people trying to earn an honest living, but now they're unknowingly exposed to significant danger," he said. He added that the syndicates have also grown increasingly sophisticated and stubborn. One of the premises raided today, he said, had been targeted multiple times before, with today's action marking the ninth raid since 2023. "They had installed layers of steel doors to delay enforcement entry. In fact, it required assistance from the Fire and Rescue Department just to break in. "Some syndicates even used audio decoys, such as bird sounds, to mask the constant hum of the machines," he added. Such persistence, Akmal said, stressed the need for tighter inter-agency collaboration and stronger enforcement tools. Meanwhile, checks at a nearby business found that operators were completely unaware of the syndicate's activities. A woman working at a grocery store near one of the raided units said she had occasionally noticed suspicious individuals entering the premises about two years ago but had never interacted with them. "There were no visible signs from the outside. It looked empty, and we would occasionally hear bird sounds coming from within," she said, adding that she was now concerned about the potential fire hazards.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Law prohibiting appeals from dismissal of interlocutory rulings upheld
The Federal Court dismissed an application for leave to appeal brought by Ong Saw Yong, Chew Khor Teng and Phang Tee Yong, and ordered them to pay the government RM30,000 in costs. PUTRAJAYA : The Federal Court has denied three businessmen the opportunity to challenge the constitutionality of two legal provisions restricting appeals from interlocutory decisions. An interlocutory decision is a ruling issued by a court while a suit is ongoing, which does not finally dispose of the case. In 2022, the trio – Ong Saw Yong, Chew Khor Teng and Phang Tee Yong – filed a lawsuit in the High Court seeking to challenge the validity of amendments to Sections 28 and 68 of the Court of Judicature Act 1964 (CJA), which came into force earlier that year. Following the amendment, Section 28 bars appeals to the High Court from lower court decisions that dismiss applications for summary judgment, striking out of suits or pleadings, or setting aside default judgments. Section 68 prohibits similar appeals from the High Court to the Court of Appeal. Ong, Chew and Phang were defendants in a civil action brought by Pasir Bogak Sdn Bhd in 2021 to recover approximately RM14.5 million from a land sale. Their application to have the suit struck out was dismissed by the High Court in 2022, from which they had no right of appeal. They then brought the present lawsuit against the government, claiming that the amendments to Section 28 and 68 of the CJA violated their constitutional right to freely express their disagreement with a court's decision. The suit was dismissed by the High Court. The trio also failed in their appeal to the Court of Appeal. Today, a three-member bench led by Justice Nordin Hassan held that their application for leave to appeal that decision had no merit. The court also ordered that they pay RM30,000 in costs to the government. Also on the bench hearing the appeal were Justices Abu Jais Bakar and Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera. Lawyer T Manoharan appeared for Ong, Chew and Phang while senior federal counsel Ahmad Hanir Hambaly appeared for the government. The land sale suit hearing is scheduled to begin on April 6 next year.
