Power theft causes Rp 11.5b loss<\/p>\n
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
State electricity company PT PLN is bringing charges against 235
\ncustomers, mostly industrial companies, in Jakarta and Tangerang
\nfor stealing electricity and inflicting financial losses of up to
\nRp 11.5 billion (US$1.35 million).<\/p>\n
PT PLN announced on Monday that the power thefts were
\nuncovered during its Operasi Petir 2003 monitoring operation,
\nconducted in June and August.<\/p>\n
The operation team has classified the violations and
\ndetermined the arrears to be paid by the 235 customers. It is
\nalso investigating and evaluating 287 other companies.<\/p>\n
The companies could face criminal charges under Law No.
\n20\/2002 on electricity, as well as civil law charges. If found
\nguilty, the owners could be imprisoned for up to five years and
\nfined up to Rp 500 million.<\/p>\n
The companies raided in the ongoing operation were those using
\na power rate of 200 kilovolt ampere (kVA) and over.<\/p>\n
"We are limiting the investigation to those using 200 kVA and
\nup because they are the biggest users of electricity," said Harry
\nRonald, head of the operation team.<\/p>\n
He added that the limitation did not rule out the possibility
\nof monitoring and raiding residences.<\/p>\n
The operation is a joint effort between PLN and the city
\npolice, involving raids on areas where power theft is suspected.
\nIt is a fresh attempt to take power thieves to court because in
\nthe past power theft incurred only a fine.<\/p>\n
"The thefts have inflicted huge losses on PLN and will affect
\npower prices. We are concerned more about the customers who pay
\ntheir bills as they will suffer because of the stealing," Harry
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The theft is mostly accomplished by slowing down the rotation
\nof the meter or through the placement of a metal strip in the
\nmeter to prevent the recording of power usage.<\/p>\n
Harry added that the companies charged with theft were mostly
\nbased in Kapuk and Kalideres, both in West Jakarta, and in the
\nTangerang area, where there are industrial complexes.<\/p>\n
Currently four companies are going through criminal
\nproceedings. Police named a company in Cengkareng, West Jakarta,
\nand a supermarket in Kebayoran, South Jakarta, among the four.<\/p>\n
To make the operation more effective, PLN is seeking the help
\nof citizens in reporting power theft.<\/p>\n
"We are offering a reward for anyone who reports power theft.
\nThe reward is in the form of cash equal to 3 percent of the total
\narrears collected from the party charged with theft," said Harry.<\/p>",
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