Man fined RM120,000 for crypto mining linked power theft, wife fails to turn up for trial
The accused Hii King Lee on Friday (July 11) pleaded guilty to two separate charges under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance (Chapter 50).
The first offence involved the dishonest abstraction of electricity at a row of commercial shoplots along Jalan Bulatan Park on January 32, 2024, at 11am.
The second offence took place at a residential property at Jalan Desa Seri Utama on April 23, 2025, also at 11am.
According to the facts of the case, officers from Sesco Berhad's revenue management division, licensed under Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), had conducted routine inspections of electricity meters at both locations.
They discovered illegal direct tapping cables that bypassed the meters, unlawfully diverting electricity.
With a court-approved search warrant and the landlords' consent, forced entry was carried out.
Investigations revealed 90 units of Bitcoin mining machines connected directly via these cables, thereby avoiding legitimate electricity charges.
At the residential premises, police accompanied Sesco officers during the raid.
Hii, the occupant, was also allegedly found in possession of illegal substances. He is currently facing several other charges in Miri relating to drugs and corruption.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ronald Felix Hardin underscored the seriousness of electricity theft, particularly in cryptocurrency operations, which require a continuous power supply and cooling.
He warned that such installations pose fire hazards and broader safety concerns. He further advised landlords to ensure that electricity accounts are transferred to their tenants to avoid being implicated in potential future misuse.
Judge Afidah Binti Abdul Rahman imposed the RM120,000 fine. The court also noted that Hii is facing an additional electricity theft charge under the same ordinance, which is currently pending before the Sessions Court in Kuching.
That case is scheduled for further mention on July 24, 2025.
In a related matter, Hii's wife, 38-year-old Hii Lay Ching, failed to appear for her court hearing on the same day.
She is facing two counts of electricity theft, allegedly committed on November 23, 2024 at shophouses in Jalan Pujut 7.
She had previously claimed trial in relation to a similar offence at a shophouse in Eastwood Valley Industrial Park on December 16, 2024 and was released on bail on June 26, 2025. The court has issued a warrant for her arrest, with the next mention scheduled for August 4, 2025.
Several officers from the Sarawak Utility and Telecommunication Ministry and Sesco's Investigation Unit were present in court during the proceedings.
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