Landowner in Stampin slams Sesco for RM11,000 bill to remove pole planted on private land, DAP Sarawak steps in

Chong and Wong (left) at the site of the electricity pole (far left) during a Facebook live session on Oct 4, 2024.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 4: A landowner in Lorong Stampin 2 has criticised Sesco for billing him an amount of RM11,000 to remove an electricity pole that the Sarawak utility firm allegedly planted on his private land without prior permission and consent five years ago.

The landowner, known only as Mr Wong, sought assistance from the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak to resolve the issue, which he viewed as “absolutely ridiculous” and an infringement of private property rights.

In a Facebook live session during DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s visit to the property where a house is under construction today, Wong explained that the land was empty when the pole was erected, and he had requested its removal five years ago.

Despite his communications and complaints, he said that Sesco took no action, claiming that the pole was outside the private land boundary.

“They trespassed into my land, but (now) they want to charge me. This is worse than robbery. It is like a thief entering my land to steal something, got hurt and then demanding me to pay a medical fee,” Wong remarked.

The electricity pole (marked with a red arrow) which Wong demanded to be removed as it sits within his property.

Chong, who is also Stampin MP, mentioned that his special assistant Michael Kong had sent an official letter to Sesco, along with a land plan highlighting the encroachment.

“This means Sesco cannot wiggle out (of their responsibility) and they have to remove the pole. But what is even more appalling and ridiculous is that Sesco is charging the landowner over RM11,000 to do so,” he said.

Wong added that if Sesco disagrees, they should engage the Land and Survey Department to conduct a survey and express willingness to pay if proven wrong.

“If I win, you (Sesco) remove it (the pole) immediately. I will even claim for damages,” he said, emphasising that the land boundaries had been approved by the local council and Land and Survey Department for the issuance of occupational permit (OP).

“This is tormenting. Every time I come to the backyard, I see this eyesore. This land is expensive, and the authority is using it. This one square metre area is wasted. Do they realise how much it costs annually?” he added.

Chong emphasised that government agencies, as well as citizens, must respect private land rights, and pledged that DAP Sarawak would help Wong resolve the issue with Sesco. — DayakDaily