Previous tenant’s crypto-mining leaves owner with hefty electricity bill, PPS urges fair approach

KUCHING (March 18): A premises owner here has expressed frustration after being held liable for a hefty electricity bill caused by illegal cryptocurrency mining activity carried out by a former tenant.

Sarawak Energy Berhad demanded payment of RM206,815.77, which, after a discount, remains a substantial RM165,307.

Sarawak Consumers Association (PPS) president Dr Wynson Ong described the situation as unfair, noting that the tenant responsible has already been convicted and jailed.

“The owner had rented out the unit in good faith, but the tenant misused the premises for illegal cryptocurrency mining activities involving electricity theft,” he said in a statement.

The offence reportedly occurred over 11 months. The tenant pleaded guilty in court and was sentenced under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance (Cap. 50), following prosecution by the Sarawak Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunications.

Ong further revealed that the tenant is believed to be a repeat offender, having carried out similar activities at multiple locations, indicating a pattern of organised and premeditated conduct.

“It is understood that the tenant often delayed signing formal tenancy agreements, leaving some premises owners exposed without proper contractual protection,” he said.

Despite the conviction, the electricity supplier is still claiming the full amount from the premises owner.

“This situation is clearly unjust. While the perpetrator has admitted guilt and is serving a jail sentence, the financial burden has been shifted to an innocent party.

“This is illogical and contrary to the principles of justice,” Ong stressed.

Electricity consumption in the case was estimated at about RM20,000 per month — far exceeding the typical usage of around RM300 for a similar third-floor premises.

Ong argued that such abnormal usage should have been detected much earlier.

“The fact that it went unnoticed for nearly a year raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of monitoring systems.

“If this had continued for two or three years, the owner could have faced losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of ringgit, potentially leading to financial distress or even bankruptcy,” he said.

Ong added that this was no longer a routine case of electricity theft, but pointed to a significant lapse in monitoring and enforcement.

He urged electricity providers to implement more effective inspection and monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual consumption patterns in a timely manner.

“If such activities can go undetected for almost a year, serious questions must be asked about the system’s effectiveness.

“Where there are weaknesses, it is unreasonable to transfer the full liability to the premises owner,” he said.

He noted that electricity providers are reportedly losing up to RM4 million monthly due to illegal cryptocurrency mining and power theft, highlighting the urgent need for stronger monitoring systems.

PPS has called on the utility company to explain why the illegal activity was not detected earlier, review the billing calculation for transparency and fairness, and adopt a more balanced approach in determining liability.

At the same time, Ong advised property owners and investors to ensure tenancy agreements are properly executed, verify tenants’ backgrounds and intended use of premises, and engage reputable and registered agents or property managers.

“Although the tenant has been punished, consumers should not be forced to bear the full consequences of another party’s wrongdoing,” he said.

Ong added that PPS had met with the utility company’s top management on March 3 to discuss the issue, and will continue to monitor developments while assisting the complainant in seeking a fair resolution.