NEWS & UPDATE

KUCHING
29 DECEMBER 2025

Sarawak Energy through its operations and retail arm, Syarikat SESCO Berhad (SESCO), is urging third-party contractors to exercise caution when working near electrical infrastructure and to contact the utility before commencing any piling works.

Unsafe digging can damage underground cables, leading to power interruptions and disruptions to other critical services such as water supply. More importantly, it can create safety hazards, including the risk of electrocution, fires, injuries and potential loss of life. To prevent such incidents, contractors must adhere to established safety procedures and consult SESCO before starting work.

This advisory follows a recent incident in Asajaya on 22 December, where underground cables were damaged during piling works near Klinik Kesihatan Serpan, affecting the water treatment plant and customers in Asajaya, Sebuyau, Sadong Jaya, Sebangan and parts of Simunjan.

SESCO’s technical team worked swiftly to restore supply, with power fully restored to Sebuyau and Simunjan, including the water treatment plant, by 3:51 pm, and to Asajaya by 5:00 pm. Incidents like this highlight the serious consequences of unsafe excavation near electrical infrastructure. In addition to power supply interruptions, damage to underground cables can affect other critical services such as water supply, impacting households, schools, businesses and community facilities.

“Any works near electrical facilities must strictly follow established safety protocols,” said Nazry Hj. Abdul Latip, Sarawak Energy General Manager for Rural Electrification. “Failure to comply not only endangers workers but also disrupts essential services to communities.”

For this incident, SESCO has issued stop-work orders and will proceed with issuing warning letters to the parties involved alongside initiating cost-recovery measures. The company is also strengthening engagement with relevant agencies and contractors to reinforce compliance and safeguard critical infrastructure. Patrols in high-risk areas will be intensified and unsafe activities will trigger immediate work suspension.

SESCO reminds all contractors that damaging electrical assets is a serious offence under the law and may result in financial penalties or legal action. Contractors are expected to follow established safety procedures and consult SESCO before commencing any works near electrical infrastructure.

The public may report outages or suspicious activity near electrical facilities by contacting Sarawak Energy’s Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111, emailing customercare@sarawakenergy.com, using the SEB cares mobile app or web portal, or engaging with the virtual agent CARINA.

Damaged underground cable underneath the slab.

SESCO’s contractor doing cable repair works.

All contractors are reminded to ‘Call Before You Dig’ prior to commencing any excavation works.