MalayMail/Bernama-Jan 24
The government viewed electricity theft through illegal bitcoin mining activities seriously as it recorded a 400 per cent increase over the past four years, with an estimated loss of more than RM2.3 billion, said Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan. He said a total of 7,209 cases were detected, namely 610 cases in 2018, 1,043 in 2019, 2,465 in 2020 and 3,091 in 2021. “The increase in cases is a worrying trend, as it affects not only the energy industry in terms of value, but also the stability of the electricity supply system and public safety,” he said in a statement today. He said the extreme use of high-powered cryptocurrency mining machines 24 hours non-stop could cause short circuits due to the use of non-standard fuses and loads exceeding cable capacity, risking fires. Illegal connection or tampering with meter installations resulted in the reading on the meter no longer showing the actual electricity consumption, thus disrupting the stability of electricity supply as demand exceeded capacity, thus affecting business activities and people’s comfort. He also urged members of the public who suspected or had information on power theft to contact ST, TNB or PDRM so that appropriate action could be taken. Read more at: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/01/24/illegal-bitcoin-mining-in-malaysia-on-the-rise-with-400pc-hike-in-power-the/2037248
