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KUCHING, March 14 – Several areas in Miri experienced a power outage on March 12 due to an act of vandalism targeting Sarawak Energy’s electrical infrastructure. Authorities are now investigating the incident, which disrupted electricity supply to thousands of residents.
Cable Cut Between Piasau and Lutong Substations
According to Sarawak Energy’s official statement, the outage occurred at approximately 12.54pm when a critical cable between the Piasau and Lutong substations was found to have been deliberately cut. As a result, customers in Lutong, Piasau, parts of Senadin, Pujut, and nearby areas were left without electricity.
Upon receiving reports from affected residents, Sarawak Energy’s operations and retail arm, Syarikat SESCO Bhd (SESCO), promptly deployed technical teams to assess the situation and restore power safely. The electricity supply was progressively reinstated from 1pm, with full restoration achieved by 2.19pm.
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Police Investigation Underway
A police report has been filed, and investigations are ongoing. Items suspected to have been left behind by the vandals, including slippers, clothing, and a gunny sack, have been handed over to the authorities as evidence.
Despite numerous public awareness campaigns by the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication and Sarawak Energy, cases of vandalism on electrical infrastructure continue to be a pressing issue in Sarawak. In 2024 alone, Miri has recorded 39 cases of electrical vandalism, causing damages exceeding RM296,000.
Public Safety and Security Measures
Sarawak Energy strongly condemns such reckless acts, stating that they not only cause inconvenience to residents but also pose severe safety hazards, including fire risks, electrocution, and life-threatening injuries.
To combat this issue, Sarawak Energy is enhancing security measures to protect its critical infrastructure. These measures include increasing patrols in high-risk areas and deploying advanced monitoring systems to detect unauthorised access to substations and other assets. SESCO’s technical teams remain on standby to ensure immediate response and restoration in case of future disruptions.
Public Urged to Report Suspicious Activities
Authorities are urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities near electrical facilities. Reports can be made via:
- Sarawak Energy’s Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111
- Email: customercare@sarawakenergy.com
- SEB Cares mobile app and web portal
- Sarawak Energy’s virtual assistant, CARINA
All reports will be treated with strict confidentiality.
As authorities continue their investigation, Sarawak Energy assures the public of its commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of electricity supply in the region.