KOTA KINABALU, April 9 -- An eatery operator was fined RM20,000 in default six months' jail by the Sessions Court here for dishonestly using electricity last year by bypassing the cut-out fuse linked to the premises' fuse box.

Andrew Mali, 58, pleaded guilty before Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan to a charge under Sub-Section 61(3)(c) of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024, which is punishable under Sub-Section 61(3)(ii) of the same Enactment.

The indictment provides for a fine of between RM20,000 and RM1 million, or a jail term of up to five years, or both upon conviction.

The charge stated that Andrew committed the offence which caused Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) to charge him less for electricity or caused SESB to suffer a loss....