NEWS & UPDATE

KUCHING
7 JULY 2025

Excavation works by a third-party contractor damaged two high voltage underground electrical cables near Green Heights, causing a power outage affecting multiple areas in Kuching on the afternoon of 3 July 2025.

The outage, which occurred at 2.46pm, disrupted electricity supply to various locations, including parts of BDC, Stampin, Jalan Lapangan Terbang, Stutong, Batu Kawa, Jalan Arang, 3rd Mile, Jalan Keretapi, Sg. Maong, Jalan Green and Jalan Rock. Several major commercial centres and essential facilities, such as the Sarawak General Hospital, Timberland Hospital, KPJ Hospital, Aeon Mall, The Podium and Aeroville Mall, were also affected.

The technical team from Sarawak Energy’s operations and retail arm, Syarikat SESCO Berhad (SESCO), responded immediately and managed to fully restore supply via an alternate source at 2.58pm. Cable repair works then commenced and were completed by 6am the following day.

This incident is part of a worrying trend of excavation-related damage to underground cables. Despite repeated safety advisories and engagements, some contractors continue to operate near underground infrastructure without prior consultation. This is a disregard for critical safety procedures, putting both public safety and essential infrastructure at risk.

“We have made ourselves available to assist contractors in planning their work safely, yet some continue to proceed without engaging us,” said Effendy Syaiful Abdullah, SESCO’s General Manager for Western Region. “Contractors must take greater responsibility to uphold public safety.”

In Kuching alone, SESCO has recorded 33 cases of electrical equipment damage caused by third-party contractors as of 4 July 2025, with estimated losses exceeding RM330,000. These incidents not only disrupt essential services but pose serious safety hazards, including risks of electrocution and fire.

SESCO reiterates that damaging electrical infrastructure is a serious offence and offenders may face financial penalties and legal action. All contractors are required to comply with established safety procedures and consult SESCO prior to undertaking any work in the vicinity of underground cables.

The public is reminded to report outages or suspicious activities near electrical infrastructure by contacting Sarawak Energy’s Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111, emailing customercare@sarawakenergy.com, using the SEB cares mobile app and web portal, or chatting with virtual agent CARINA.

Photo 1: SESCO personnel inspecting the site of the damaged underground cable caused by third-party excavation at Green Heights, Kuching

Photos 2 and 3: SESCO’s technical team carried out overnight repair works on the damaged underground cable at Green Heights, Kuching

Photo 4: Contractors are reminded to contact SESCO before carrying out any excavation works to prevent damage to underground electrical cables and avoid supply interruptions