Vandalism at Jalan Tabuan, Kuching disrupts power supply

KUCHING: A dangerous act of vandalism and attempted cable theft caused significant disruption to the power supply at Jalan Tabuan here during the early hours of Monday (Sept 23).

The incident, discovered at 2am, damaged a high-voltage underground cable crucial for maintaining stable electricity in the area.

“Sarawak Energy, through its operational arm Syarikat Sesco Berhad (Sesco), swiftly dispatched a technical team to assess and repair the damage.

“The repairs were completed by 11.55am the same day, with minimal impact on customers thanks to the activation of an alternative power supply,” it said in a press release.

An initial inspection revealed that the damage resulted from an attempted cable theft. A police report has been filed, and Sarawak Energy is cooperating with authorities to investigate the incident and enhance security measures to prevent future occurrences.

Vandalism of electricity infrastructure continues to be a significant issue in Sarawak. Since 2023, there have been 303 reported cases, causing damages close to RM5 million.

These acts not only result in financial losses but also jeopardise public safety, risking life-threatening injuries such as electrocution and severe burns.

In response, Sarawak Energy is enhancing security protocols, which include increased patrols in high-risk areas and the implementation of advanced monitoring systems to detect unauthorised access.