Sarawak government addresses vandalism penalties

BY ALEXANDRA LORNA & NURA V LORNA

KUCHING: The state government intends to engage in discussions with State Attorney General (SAG) Datuk Saferi Ali to address the issue of penalties for dealers of secondhand or used goods in the battle against vandalism of utility and telecommunication infrastructure in Sarawak.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasized the importance of enforcing laws and government regulations about this matter.

“I will review our laws; this is the responsibility of our government, and we will confer with the SAG regarding secondhand dealers.
“The current penalty is RM5,000, which is inadequate. Those who engage in theft must face punishment. I will inquire with the lawyer about this process,” he stated.

He made these remarks during his speech at the Vandalism Prevention Against Utility and Telecommunication Facilities Campaign ceremony held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.

When approached by reporters following the event, Abang Johari mentioned that the amendment to the law could not be decided upon yet because it falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.

“We will consult the SAG to examine this matter, but the punishment falls under federal jurisdiction and the Federal Attorney General’s Office.

“However, I will consult our state attorney to explore other applicable laws, such as those related to local authorities, as I believe an RM5,000 penalty is insufficient,” he added.

Currently, under Section 6 of the Secondhand Dealers Act 1946, for the first offence, the fine is not more than RM1,000 or imprisonment for not more than three months, or both.

For the second offence, the fine is not more than RM5,000 imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.

On a related note, Abang Johari urged utility companies to assume collective responsibility for safeguarding their assets.

“You can employ locals and provide them with allowances to guard the areas, as this is a shared responsibility.

“In forested areas, access is challenging, so companies should assist by stationing security officers or auxiliary police there. Additionally, it is important to construct sturdy fences where necessary and pay special attention to strategic locations,” stated Abang Johari.

Furthermore, he called upon the entire community to collaborate in combating vandalism of public facilities, as it not only leads to significant losses for the government—amounting to RM20 million last year—but also affects the lives of the people.

“If you observe any suspicious activities or individuals stealing, apprehend them or report them to the police because Sarawak is vast, and it necessitates the cooperation of all segments of society to ensure the safety of their respective areas,” he urged.