KOTA KINABALU: Metal thieves blacked out almost the entire state of Sabah on Monday – for a mere RM40.
It is believed they removed steel pieces from a 132kV transmission tower that led to its collapse, triggering a major power blackout lasting nearly six hours from 6.41pm and affecting 300,000 consumers. More...
Here's another interesting piece;
April 22nd, 2008
Well, at least since the commissioning of the East-West power grid last November, but has there ever been a case of 90% of the state experiencing electrical power failure at the same time? More..
... and this piece;
Scrap Metal Thieves Bring Down 2nd Tower in Two Weeks
Ruben Sario 2nd May 2008
Source : Star Online
KOTA KINABALU: Scrap metal thieves have struck again, causing another electric high-tension wire pylon to collapse.
However, the incident which occurred on Wednesday night did not cause a blackout because electricity at that stretch had routed through a temporary underground cable.
This is the second such incident in the city in less than two weeks. More..
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So next week, SESB is going to temporarily disrupt our power supply. Having no electricity is terrible for homes and offices. To those with small children will understand the frustration when there's neither a fan nor an air-condition available especially when the weather is hot and dry. Not forgetting the offices; with no electricity means no computers, lights, air conditions , faxes and more. This equates to no work and no business.
On the event of power failure; everything stops.
In my earlier posting, I mentioned that we Sabahans are so use to disappointments.
No joke.
We are now so jaded that its like we're dead inside.
No matter how many time we would complain; in the end it will all be for naught.
Because nothing's going to change.
SESB has been trying to build the power grids for a very long time. I won't blame the SESB staff; in fact when we call the hotline (when they finally picked up our call), they do try their best to assist us when there's blackout by sending their technicians over, even at late night. But for more than that? Like them, we're are being held up by the power that be at SESB.
"We've already lodged in your complaints. Now we're waiting for instructions."
"So now what are we, the consumers, going to do next?"
"Wait of course."
"Duh Oookaaay; we'll wait."
"Thank you for your understanding. By the way, you're 2 months overdue... when can we expect payment from you?"
"If I pay, would it make any difference to the current situation?"
"I don't know. We still have to wait for our instructions from the top."
"What happens if I don't pay?"
"Then we'll be forced to cut off your power supply."
"What power supply? There's nothing here. I'm going to lodge a complaint."
" I can help you with that," picks up phone and calls his colleague."I've already lodged in your complaints. Now we'll wait for the complaint to be processed."
"So now what are we going to do now?"
"Wait of course."