A Klang wood processing company must pay RM476,124.65 to TNB after its electricity meter was found to have been tampered with, a court has ruled

KUALA LUMPUR: The Klang Sessions Court has ordered a wood processing company to pay RM476,124.65 in compensation to Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) for electricity meter tampering.

Judge Mohd Sabri Ismail allowed the utility company’s lawsuit claim against Top Status KD Sdn Bhd.

In his written grounds dated 18 March, the judge rejected the defendant’s argument that a sharp drop in electricity use was due to a factory shutdown during the COVID-19 Movement Control Order.

He noted the claimed loss period began on 31 December 2019, whereas the first MCO started on 18 March 2020.

“The defendant failed to explain the real cause of the sharp drop in electricity usage for the disputed period from 31 December 2019 to 31 October 2020,” Mohd Sabri said.

“The court also finds the defendant failed to show any obvious error in the plaintiff’s claim. The defendant’s witness testimony also did not raise any doubt about the calculation method or statement accuracy.”

The judge stated that Sections 38(3), (4) and (5) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990 grant TNB the right to claim revenue loss through civil court proceedings when meter tampering is proven under Section 37.

On 30 October 2020, TNB staff inspecting the meter installation at the defendant’s premises in Port Klang found evidence of tampering.

This included a missing terminal seal and an additional circuit allowing remote control of the red and yellow phase voltage circuits via wiring between the CT coil and fuse.

Following the discovery, TNB calculated its revenue loss and operational costs at RM476,124.65 and claimed this amount from the defendant.

The defendant denied any knowledge of the tampering, insisting any shortfall in electricity usage readings was due to reduced production activity during the period.

 The Sun Malaysia