NEWS & UPDATE

KUCHING
25 JUNE 2026

Sarawak Energy is urging the public to remain vigilant following a series of streetlight vandalism cases in Kuching involving the theft and damage of cables and equipment along major roads and public areas.

Since January this year, a total of 38 vandalism cases have been recorded across Sarawak including 14 in Kuching. The damage has resulted in losses of more than RM300,000 statewide, with Kuching accounting for about RM164,000 of the total.

The affected locations include Jalan Siol Kanan, Jalan Pustaka, Jalan Stadium, Jalan Diplomatik, Jalan Setia Raja, Jalan Stampin, Jalan Song, Jalan Landeh, as well as areas surrounding the Bintawa and Demak Laut Industrial Zones.

Street lighting plays an important role in keeping roads and public areas safe, especially at night. When cables and equipment are stolen or damaged, the affected areas can become poorly lit, increasing risks for motorists, pedestrians and nearby communities.

Repair works require the replacement of stolen or damaged cables and equipment, as well as the deployment of crews and resources. Repeated vandalism also affects planned maintenance and improvement works on public infrastructure.

“Streetlight vandalism is not merely damage to public infrastructure. It directly puts public safety at risk. Every darkened road increases the risk faced by motorists, pedestrians and surrounding communities. We urge the public to report suspicious activities and help protect these shared community assets,” said Effendy Syaiful Abdullah, Sarawak Energy’s General Manager for Western Region.

Sarawak Energy will continue to work closely with the Ministry for Utility and Telecommunication, the police and relevant authorities to support monitoring and enforcement efforts against illegal activities involving public utility infrastructure. This includes efforts to curb the theft of streetlight components and the sale of stolen cables and scrap metal.

Members of the public are urged to promptly report any suspicious activities involving public utilities. Public cooperation is important in safeguarding shared infrastructure and ensuring roads and public spaces remain safe for the community.

Reports can be made through the company’s Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111, via email at customercare@sarawakenergy.com, through the SEB cares mobile app or web portal, or through its virtual agent, CARINA.

Some of the stolen and vandalised cables and covers from streetlights around Kuching.

One of the vandalised streetlights at Jalan Chong Ted Tsiun, which resulted in complete darkness along the affected stretch of road.