Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) suffered a loss of RM4.57 billion from 2020 to August.
The loss was due to the illegal use of electricity supply at premises carrying out cryptocurrency mining activities, especially Bitcoin.
Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof stated that the amount of loss was identified after TNB successfully uncovered 13,827 premises involved in such activities during the period in question.
Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said TNB had created a database of records of owners and tenants of premises suspected of stealing electricity for Bitcoin mining activities to help identify, monitor and conduct inspection operations on suspicious premises.
He also explained that this activity not only threatens consumer safety, but also affects the stability of the country's economy, increases public safety risks, damages property and poses a serious threat to the country's energy supply system.
The statement was made when he was answering a question from Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) on the number of premises that have stolen electricity for crypto mining activities, estimated losses, and preventive measures taken by TNB.
The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), the Energy Commission (ST) and TNB are always committed to combating meter tampering and illegal electricity use, especially Bitcoin or cryptocurrency mining activities.
Through this collaboration, TNB was able to take action to seize Bitcoin mining machines at the premises in question, thus combating the activity more effectively.
In addition, a public awareness campaign was also organised through various media and engagement sessions with stakeholders were held to strengthen cooperation in combating this illegal activity.
