Kuching: Landlords and property managers must be vigilant and proactive in managing their tenancy arrangements, said Michael Kong Feng Nian, Special Assistant to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen.
He said it is not just about protecting rights, but also about safeguarding themselves from unnecessary legal consequences.
“All property owners need always to ensure that the name on the electricity meter reflects the current user or tenant.
“Failing to do so may expose them to criminal liability even if they had no involvement in any wrongdoing,” he said in a statement.
Michael Kong stated this in relation to a criminal case initiated by the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak involving electricity theft.
He said that the case involved a landlord and his tenant, who were jointly charged under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance (Cap. 50), a serious offense punishable by a fine of up to RM200,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
“The case concerned the illegal use of electricity for Bitcoin mining activities, which were carried out by the tenant without the knowledge or involvement of the landlord.
“In court, the tenant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. As for the landlord, he pleaded not guilty, maintaining that he had no role in the offence.
“His only mistake was renting the premises to the wrong tenant and failing to transfer the ownership of the electricity meter (under Sesco) from his name to the tenant’s after the tenancy agreement was signed,” he said.
Further elaborating, Michael Kong said that, upon considering the circumstances and the lack of direct involvement, the charges against the landlord were withdrawn, and the court granted him a Discharge Not Amounting to Acquittal (DNAA).
“This case should serve as a serious wake-up call to all property owners,” he said.
